VESSEL REVIEW | Multicat – Catamaran drillboat to support Norwegian coastal research activities

Norway-based multi-national engineering consultancy the Multiconsult Group has taken delivery of a new catamaran drilling survey vessel built by local shipyard GOT Marine to a design by Naval Dynamics.

Multicat will be used primarily for drilling in support of geotechnical investigations of the seabed along Norway’s entire coastline including shallow water areas. It is a replacement for an earlier Multiconsult vessel that sank following an accident off Stavanger in February 2022. To ensure it will be more capable of operating in adverse weather year-round, a catamaran design was selected for the new vessel.

Stable, durable platform for drilling surveys

The catamaran is configured as a drill boat, which will feature a number of advantages over a barge fitted with a traditional drilling setup. The most notable are mooring options with a winch and DGPS coordination. Multiconsult said this ensures stability and quality of surveys even at greater water depths, as well as efficient transits between drilling points.

The resulting geotechnical reports will form the basis for the development of ferry berths, breakwaters, quays, onshore facilities, and other maritime infrastructure.

Low-emission propulsion coupled with enhanced safety features

Multicat has all-aluminium construction, a length of 24 metres (79 feet), a beam of eight metres (26 feet), a deadweight of 100, and a crew of three. Power is provided by one MAN D2862 LE428 engine that produces 749 kW (1,000 hp) at 2,100 rpm. The engine drives a Hamilton HTX52 azimuthing waterjet via a ZF 665 gearbox to deliver a cruising speed of 20 knots. It can also run on fossil fuel-free alternatives that generate up to 95 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel.

The dimensions and the propulsion make the catamaran larger and faster than earlier Multiconsult vessels. The owner also remarked that the innovative design and advanced engine options contribute to a significant reduction in fuel consumption compared to previous boats.

A selective catalytic reduction system ensures the propulsion complies with IMO Tier III NOx emission standards. Also included in the propulsion machinery are D7 and D5 auxiliary engines supplied by Volvo.

The deck equipment includes an HS.Marine AK13 crane, Lofoten Hydraulikk anchor handling winches, and Certex anchors and mooring gear. Ground surveys and environmental geological surveys are carried out through openings in the deck, thus ensuring greater safety for the crew.

The accommodation includes cabins, a lounge, and a galley. The interior furnishings were supplied by Haugeland Miljø Innredning while NorSap installed the wheelhouse seats and Egeland Rør was responsible for incorporating the sanitary facilities. The engine room is fitted with an Alf Lea and Co Brannvern Novec 1230 fire suppression system and Viking Life-Saving Equipment provided the lifeboats and other safety equipment.

As part of its standard operating profile, Multicat will be deployed along with two other Multiconsult vessels that will carry out geotechnical surveys and environmental geological surveys along the coast.