Eastern Shipbuilding delivers Harvey Gulf OSV

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc., Panama City, FL, recently delivered the Sisuaq, the second of three 292 ft Offshore Support Vessels based on STX Marine designs to Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC, New Orleans, LA. The vessel immediately began a long-term charter contract for operation in Alaska.

Launched in October, the Sisuaq is a DP II, SOLAS approved, FIFI 1 Classed, AC diesel-electric powered, twin Z-drive propelled OSV measuring 292 ft X 64 ft X 24 ft 6 in.  This high-tech vessel features four Cummins QSK60-DM 16-cylinder turbocharged Tier II diesel generator engines that are rated 1825 Kw at 1,800 rev/min.  Main propulsion is provided by two Converteam/GE furnished Hyundai 2500 kW 690v AC motors driving two Schottel SRP 2020 FP Z-drives with nozzles rated at 2,500 kW at 1,025 rev/min each for a total of 6,704 hp.  Schottel also provided two STT 4 fixed pitch tunnel thrusters rated at 1,180 kW at 1,170 rpm each with direct coupled Hyundai 690v AC electric motors.  Converteam/GE provided the complete integrated diesel electric package including drives, motors, switchboards, motor control centers, automation and navigation and communication electronics.  The vessel is capable of a maximum speed of 14 knots with a cruising speed of 12 knots.

Total below-deck capacities of the OSV include 241,408 gallons of fuel, 602,297gallons of water ballast, 19,480 bbl of liquid mud, 14,350 cu. ft. of bulk mud, 1,700 bbl of methanol and 16,728 gallons of potable water.

The Sisuaq had to undergo several upgrades to specific systems for operations in Alaska’s cold weather conditions, including heating enhancements, window heaters, added steel plating to the hull for operation in ice conditions and hardened electronics for harsh weather operations with temperatures down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

BUILDING FOR BOLDINI, HOS
STX Marine, with offices in Houston, TX, and Vancouver, Canada, provided the design for the Sisuaq based on two earlier vessels built at Eastern for Aries Marine. Eastern Shipbuilding is also building six other vessels for Harvey Gulf, five platform supply vessels for Boldini SA of Brazil and eight platform supply vessels for Hornbeck Offshore Services, Covington, LA, all of which are based on STX Marine designs.

One of the boats ordered by Harvey Gulf is the 302 ft construction vessel/offshore supply vessel Harvey Deep Sea, which will be ABS Classed similar to the Sisuaq but with FIFI 2.  It will be equipped with an active heave-compensated 165-ton knuckle boom crane capable of lifting/setting 100 tons at depths up to 10,000 ft.  The Harvey Deep Sea is scheduled for delivery in May 2013.

With the addition of several enhancements, these vessels have stepped up the technology level with capability for worldwide operations. The integrated pilothouse is arranged for increased visibility and features the latest technology in navigation and communication equipment.  All three vessels are ABS classed, A1, AMS,  ACCU, Circle E, Enviro +, Offshore Support Vessel and certified under SOLAS.  ABS class is to include DPS-2 notation and FIFI 1.

These vessels are built to the highest class, environmental and safety standards. Crew comfort is paramount and Eastern hired Noise Control Engineering to provide recommendations for reduction of noise and vibration to meet the latest IMO standards.

April 11, 2012