Australian naval architect Incat Crowther have been contracted to design a 28-metre wave-piercing catamaran crew boat to support offshore oil and gas operations.
Developed in conjunction with Topaz Shipbuilding for a large petroleum firm, the vessel features a new layout.
The vessel balances a restriction on beam with the requirement to locate an oil spill recovery container transversely on the aft deck. The solution was to have upright topsides aft, like a traditional catamaran.
The operators also required a mono-hull-shaped bow that interfaced cleanly with the rig structure, while being well clear in all other areas to avoid risk of collisions and injuries. The vessel's outer hull bows have been configured so that they do not extend beyond the outline of the foredeck, therefore eliminating the risk of damage to the forepeaks or having them hang up on the rig structure.
The vessel features a large aft-deck with container mounts, Effer deck crane and more than 50 square-metres of usable deck space.
Passenger access is via side gates at the forward end of the cargo deck. This transverse passenger thoroughfare is protected from the cargo space by large cargo barriers, allowing passengers and cargo to be loaded concurrently.
The vessel will be powered by a pair of Caterpillar C32 Acert engines, each producing 1193kW at 2100rpm. These engines will drive Hamilton HM651 waterjets. The vessel's service speed will be 28 knots, with a maximum speed of 30 knots.
The port main engine will turn a FFS 250 x 350HD FiFi pump that feeds a foredeck mounted fire monitor. A second vessel with a higher capacity is also under construction at Topaz Shipbuilding.