Damen Oskarshamnsvarvet wins research vessel life extension contract

Damen Oskarshamnsvarvet in Sweden has won the public tender for a contract to undertake a major life extension programme on the survey and research vessel Ocean Surveyor owned by the Geological Survey of Sweden (Sveriges geologiska undersökning; SGU).

The vessel will undergo the life-time extension over the course of 12 months. It will include the replacement of the all the machinery, bridge, and auxiliary systems including HVAC and a complete overhaul of all remaining equipment.

A key aspect of the project will be the conversion of the propulsion and electrical systems from diesel to diesel electric.

Built 1984 in Norway, Ocean Surveyor is a twin hull, multi-purpose survey and ROV support vessel constructed for operations mainly in coastal waters. It has a length of 38 metres, a beam of 12 metres, and accommodation for 15 personnel across 12 cabins.

The vessel is equipped with DPS as well as various fixed hydroacoustic measuring systems. The main deck is fitted with winches, cranes, an aft frame, and a moon pool for deploying samplers and underwater cameras.

There are two laboratories on board; a wet lab for sediment and environmental sample analysis, and a space with a gamma spectrometer and sediment X-ray for the detailed study of samples.

Work on Ocean Surveyor will begin on the vessel on April 6, 2020 and is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2021.