Bigfoot 1 upgraded for larger diameter deepwater pipelay

March 9, 2015
GSP Offshore says its multi-purpose offshore installation barge Bigfoot 1 has come through sea trials following upgrades.

Offshore staff

CONSTANTA, Romania – GSP Offshore says its multi-purpose offshore installation barge Bigfoot 1 has come through sea trials following upgrades.

The trials confirmed enhanced operational performance following:

  • Installation of a Kongsberg DP-2 system with six Rolls Royce azimuth retractable thrusters, each of 2.2 MW, and 4 x 3.5 MW Wärtsilä, TIER III emission engines
  • Increase of the pipelay capacity by installing a 90-m (295-ft) stinger and a new fixed frame system which allows the vessel to perform higher diameter pipelay installations in deeper waters
  • Increase of the accommodation capacity from 208 to 240.

GSP Bigfoot 1 has derrick and pipelay features suitable for shallow and medium deepwater, compliant with the latest ABS and IMCA regulations. It can also be deployed to transport heavy structures, accommodate personnel, and for ROV operations, working in areas where shallow water could be challenging for many other vessels, GSP claims.

GSP Engineering provided the detailed engineering while the GSP Shipyard undertook fabrication of the marine systems, outfitting, installation, and integration of marine and pipelay equipment.

03/09/2015