USA: Tanker owner-operator AET has accepted delivery of the world's first purpose-built lightering support vessel (LSV).
The new craft, designed by Elliott Bay Design Group of Seattle and built by Leevac Industries in Louisiana was formally named 'AET Innovator' at AET Offshore Service's headquarters in Galveston, Texas on Thursday. The vessel is designed and built to streamline ship-to-ship transfers and is the first of four sister-craft to be built and delivered into the AET Offshore fleet, replacing older tonnage.
"Lightering has been conducted in the US Gulf since the 1980s but, until now, support has been provided by converted offshore supply vessels," said AET Offshore general manager Bill Merritt. "These new ships provide a more stable and effective working platform for our lightering crews and are more maneuverable and able to handle less favourable weather conditions. This means that our lightering operations will become safer, more efficient and more flexible."
The LSVs are 56 metres in length overall, 14 metres across the beam, and 4.6 metres in draught, with an estimated lightship weight of 1,670 tonnes. For improved manoeuvrability and speed, each new boat is fitted with a Schottel STT 170 bowthruster, powered by a Caterpillar C-18 engine. The LSVs are designed to be easily built and easily operated, featuring less piping, ballast and cargo tankage, and with the incorporation of high-lift rudders to improve steering.
The vessel's bow design features minimal flare and an inward-canted side shell (tumblehome) to optimise close-quarter manoeuvring and for ease and safety when working close-aboard tankers offshore. The LSVs are designed to carry more hoses and fenders and can stay out at sea longer. The vessels feature improved crew accommodation and have the ability to carry additional supplies.
In addition to the naming ceremony, a new 7,600 square feet shore facility was commissioned providing offices, training facilities, workshops and storage for the AET Offshore operation in Galveston.