VESSEL REVIEW | Wadad Aletheia – Ice-capable dive support vessel for UAE subsea services provider

A new dive support and construction vessel (DSCV) was recently handed over to UAE marine services provider CCC Underwater Engineering (CCCUWE). Named Wadad Aletheia, the multi-purpose ice class vessel is built for worldwide subsea operations including operations in coastal waters.

The DNV-classed DSCV has an LOA of 149.5 metres (490.5 feet), a beam of 27 metres (89 feet), a maximum draught of 7.65 metres (25.1 feet), a depth of 11.33 metres (37.17 feet), a gross tonnage of 17,621, and a deadweight of 8,650. A diesel-electric propulsion setup consisting of six Caterpillar-MaK 8M25 2,700kWe generators driving Schottel thrusters with fixed-pitch propellers delivers a top speed of 15.8 knots and a cruising speed of 11.5 knots.

Also fitted are Schottel 2,680kW tunnel thrusters, a Brunvoll 2,500kW retractable bow thruster, and two Caterpillar C32 860kWe emergency generators. The vessel can stay out at sea for 60 days, ensuring that subsea operations support can be provided for extended periods.

Significant carrying capacities and a comprehensive dive setup

An advanced saturation diving control system incorporates a high level of automation to improve the efficiency and the safety of diving operations down to 300 metres (1,000 feet).

The DSCV boasts a Kongsberg DP3 system to ensure safe operation even in rough seas and an aft working deck with a total area of 1,850 square metres (19,900 square feet) and a deck strength of 15 tonnes per square metre. This capability is ideal for the transport of heavy equipment and specialised machinery for a range of construction projects.

The deck equipment includes MacGregor 400-tonne and 25-tonne knuckle boom cranes with active heave compensation and MacGregor 10-tonne telescopic and luffing cranes. Diving is facilitated by a 7.2-by-7.2-metre (24- by 24-foot) and two 5.4- by 4.2-metre (18- by 14-foot) moonpools, a DRASS surface diving spread with dedicated LARS, and a DRASS fully automated twin bell saturation diving system designed for operation even in significant wave heights of up to 5.5 metres (18 feet). The larger moonpool will be used for the vertical deployment of flexible pipe-laying and light drilling systems.

The electronics setup includes S-band and X-band radars, a GPS, an autopilot, a speed log, an echosounder, an area A3 GMDSS, a voyage data recorder, gyrocompasses, a bridge navigation watch alarm system, and a Kongsberg high-precision acoustic positioning system.

Built with secondary emergency response capability

Accommodation is available for 200 personnel in compliance with MLC 2006 regulations. The crew facilities include cabins, a galley, a large mess with seating for 80, a conference room, three client offices, a full hospital with separate treatment areas, two recreation rooms, a cinema, an internet cafe, and a gym.

Also fitted are a Fifi2 system with remotely controlled monitors with a discharge rate of 3,600 cubic metres (130,000 cubic feet) per hour and a hangar for housing two work-class remotely operated vehicles (WROVs) with launching of the craft to be done via the side. The WROVs are operated from a dedicated onboard control room while maintenance of the robotic craft will be undertaken with the aid of two offices and stores and workshop facilities.

The DSCV also has adequate fire and flood protection and a Siemens emergency shutdown system with gas detection and automatic fire dampers. Space is also available for two 24-person, self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboats.

Wadad Aletheia was built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) and sails under the flag of the Bahamas. The vessel has since departed for Singapore on its maiden operational voyage under CCCUWE.

The DSCV's secondary duties will include salvage and offshore surveys.