SEPTEMBER 10, 203 — Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has started construction of a first of type 70 m catamaran fast crew boat (FCB) for Caspian Marine Services Ltd (CMS) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

"At 70 meters length and 30 knot speed we expect this will be the largest fast crew transport vessel operating in the global oil industry," says Incat Chairman Robert Clifford, adding that "Incat envisages an expanding market for this type of vessel."

Designed by Incat Crowther and with production engineering by Revolution Design, the crew boat will comply with the IMO HSC and will have a crew transfer system consisting of dynamic positioning equipment class (DP2) coupled with a stabilized access platform.

Delivery is scheduled for September 2014. The vessel will be delivered to Baku via a transit through the Volga-Don Canal. It will service platforms in such fields as Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG), the largest oil field in Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea and the Shah Deniz offshore gas and condensate field.

The vessel will operate as a fast crew transfer vessel for 150 offshore workers to multiple offshore installations. The hull design has been optimized for high speed transits with specific features to limit the sea sickness of transiting offshore workers. The on-board noise, vibration and indoor climate is in accordance with DNV comfort class notation. The vessel is designed to operate in sea conditions of 40 knot wind and seas of 3 m significant wave height.

The high speed of the 70m FCB allows operational cost efficiency over helicopter transfer for passengers and cargo, whilst the advanced design ensures the crew arrive at the platform fit for work.

Crew transfer is completed primarily by a stabilized access platform, providing a level platform and gangway to access the offshore platform from the vessel. The access platform compensates for the vessels motion by using 6 hydraulic cylinders. The vessel will hold station using dynamic positioning (DNV DYNPOS-AUTR), and in combination with the stabilized access platform, crew transfers will be performed in up to sea state 4.

This vessel is the first catamaran to utilize this system and the first to have the stabilized access platform structure and supporting systems integrated into the design. For redundancy and operations in higher sea conditions, a crane lifted personnel transfer system is provided for up to 2 groups of 9 offshore workers.

Whilst the primary function of the vessel is crew transfer, the vessels arrangement provides flexibility with over 100 square meters of cargo deck, rated at 2 t/sq.m. This capacity will allow the vessel to complete cargo hot shots for up to 110 tonnes of specialized equipment to a range of 300 nm at speeds up to 35 knots.

A high level of passenger comfort  will be achieved by the vessel’s advanced semi-SWATH hull form, combined with a resiliently mounted main cabin and superstructure and active ride control system consisting of T-Foil, interceptors and yaw stabilizers.

Passengers are accommodated on both the main and mid decks, with the mid deck featuring crew accommodations for 14. All crew cabins are ILO-compliant. The main deck also features VIP rooms, vending machines, luggage space and a large workshop.

The aft cargo deck measures in excess of 400 square meters; housing the stabilized access platform, dedicated landing area for the crane lifted personnel transfer system, as well as 10 ft luggage containers and hot shot cargo area.

Four MTU 16V4000 engines will power the vessel driving Hamilton HT-900 water jet propulsion with a service speed of 30 knots at full load condition and 90% MCR in sea state 4. Four azimuthing drop-down thrusters forward will take care of maneuvering, with the vessel having DP-2 equivalent DNV classification.

Length Overall:     70.0 m
Length Waterline:     67.6 m
Beam:     16.0 m
Draft Hull:     2.0 m
Depth:     6.0 m
Special Personnel:     150
Crew:     14
Fuel:     50,000 liters
Fresh Water:     10,000 liters
Grey Water:     3,000 liters
Sullage:     3,000 liters
Service Speed:     30 knots
Maximum Speed:     36 knots
Main Engines:     4 x MTU 16V4000 M73L
Installed Power:     4 x 2,880 kW @ 2050rpm
Propulsion:     2 x Hamilton HT-900 S Water jets
Generators:     4 x 550 ekW
Bow Thrusters:     4 x Azimuth Retractable
Dynamic Positioning:     DNV DYNPOS-AUTR R Control system
Crew Transfer System:     Ampelmann Stabilized Access Platform, Frog-9 Crane Lifted Rigid Basket
Construction Material:     Marine Grade Aluminum
Flag:     Azerbaijan
Class:     +1A1 DNV HSLC Service 2, R1, EO, DYNPOS-AUTR, CLEAN-DESIGN, COMF-V(3) C(3), NAUT-HSC, NAUT-OSV(A) IMO DP Equipment Class