Fujairah shipyard launches second wave-piercing crew boat

Designer Incat Crowther reports that Topaz Shipbuilding’s Fujairah, UAE, shipyard has launched a second 27.6 m wave piercing catamaran crew boat, Topaz Zephyr. Based on the innovative Topaz Zenith, launched in June (see earlier story), Topaz Zephyr has been optimized to provide 24-hour support to offshore oil and gas operations.

The Zephyr differs from the Zenith by having a full width superstructure, allowing greater accommodation space, and  increased fuel capacity, allowing it to operate uninterrupted over a 24 hour service pattern.

The accommodation-friendly vessel adds a bathroom to each of the two hull crew cabins. There is also an additional officer’s cabin on the main deck. The hull, machinery and control stations are common to both vessels.

As with Topaz Zenith, Topaz Zephyr is fitted with a FFS 250x350HD FiFi and foredeck mounted fire monitor as well as a Sormec M18/FB/4S deck crane. The aft deck has over 50 sq/m of usable deck space, forward of which is a protected passenger boarding area.

Like the Zenith, the vessel is powered by a pair of Caterpillar C32 Acert engines, each producing 1,193 kW at 2100rpm. The use of the same engines gives the operator commonality between the two different vessels, streamlining maintenance operations and parts inventory.

Topaz Zephyr is completing sea trials before being handed over to its operator, RAK Petroleum.

Length Overall:     27.6 m
Length Waterline:     23.0 m
Beam:     7.5 m
Draft Hull:     1.4 m
Depth:     3.2 m
Fuel:     13,930 liters
Fresh Water:     5,000 liters
Sullage:     500 liters
Deck Area:     54 m2
Deck Cargo:     25 t
Passengers:     39
Crew:     8
Service Speed:     28 knots
Maximum Speed:     32 knots
Main Engines:     2 x Caterpillar C32 Acert D Rating
Installed Power:     2 x 1,193 kW @2,100 rpm
Propulsion:     2 x Hamilton HM651 Waterjets
Generators:     2 x Caterpillar C4.4
Construction Material:     Marine Grade Aluminum
Flag:     UAE
Class:     DNV +1A1 HSLC R3 Crew

November 7, 2011