Fujairah shipyard launches wave piercing crew boat

Incat Crowther reports the launch of Topaz Zenith. Launched by Topaz Shipbuilding’s Fujairah, UAE, shipyard, this innovative 27.6 m wave piercing catamaran crew boat has been designed to support offshore energy installations.

Part of the development of the vessel focused on the development of an unusual platform for the application. Following the evaluation of a series of criteria, a wave piercing catamaran platform was chosen.

The bow of the vessel is configured to interface cleanly with the rig structure, whilst being well clear in all other areas to avoid risk of collisions and injuries. To eliminate the risk of damage to the forepeaks or having the hull hang up on the rig structure, the vessel’s bows have been configured so that they do not extend beyond the outline of the foredeck.

The vessel offers functionality and safety, whilst retaining the wave piercer’s offshore capabilities.

The large aft-deck is fitted with container mounts and a Sormec M18FB/4S 23.5t/m deck crane. With a load capacity of 3 t/sq. m, the vessel has over 50 sq.m of usable deck space, allowing it to carry a 20ft Oil Spill Recovery container transversely on the aft deck.

In addition to the bow transfer system, passenger access is provided via side gates at the forward end of the cargo deck. This transverse passenger thoroughfare is protected from the cargo space by large cargo barriers, allowing passengers and cargo to be loaded concurrently in a safe and efficient manner.

The vessel is powered by a pair of 1193 kW Caterpillar C32 Acert engines, driving Hamilton HM651 waterjets. Speed performance on sea trials confirmed the design predictions with the vessel achieving 32 knots sprint speed, and 28 knots service speed at 85% MCR. The propulsion system exploits the WOSR (Wide Operating Speed Range) of the Caterpillar engines, allowing full power from 2000rpm. This allowed a cost and weight saving by minimizing the rotation speed of the FiFi clutch equipment.

The port main engine is mated to a hydraulic clutch turning an FFS 250x350HD FiFi pump that feeds a foredeck mounted fire monitor, with a rating of 600 cu.m/hr.

A similar vessel is also nearing completion at Topaz Shipbuilding that will incorporate a slightly larger cabin and additional fluid capacities, and will provide 24 hour support in the wind farm sector.

Length Overall:     27.6 m
Length Waterline:     23.0 m
Beam:     7.5 m
Draft Hull:     1.4 m
Depth:     3.2 m
Fuel:     12 000 liters
Fresh Water:     5 200 liters
Sullage:     1 300 liters
Service Speed:     28 knots
Maximum Speed:     32 knots
Main Engines:     2 x Caterpillar C32 Acert D Rating
Installed Power:     2 x 1193kW @2100rpm
Propulsion:     2 x Hamilton HM651 Waterjets
Generators:     2 x Caterpillar 4.4
Construction Material:     Marine Grade Aluminum
Flag:     UAE
Class:     DNV +1A1 HSLC R3 Crew

July 27, 2011