Offshore staff
GORINCHEM, the Netherlands –Atlantic Towing Ltd (USA) has selected newly designed, ice-strengthened PSV 5000 vessels from Damen Shipyards Group to meet its demanding 10-year offshore support contract with ExxonMobil Canada Properties and Hibernia Management and Development Co. Ltd (HMDC). The vessels will operate in the challenging sub-arctic waters of the Hibernia and Hebron oil fields, off Newfoundland and Labrador.
ATL will take delivery of four PSV 5000 vessels, one of which will be equipped for inspection, repair, and maintenance duties. All four will share the same PSV design platform, with the first vessel due in service in 2H 2016. Featuring Damen’s distinctive bow design, the PSV 5000 vessels will include a cost- and emissions-efficient diesel electric power plant.
Jan van Hogerwou, manager North America,Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, commented, “These will be safety-critical vessels, working in sub-arctic conditions in one of the world’s foggiest places renowned for strong winds, high waves, snow, and icebergs. All four will benefit from iceberg management tools, while the IRM vessel will feature a 100-ton (91-metric-ton) subsea crane equipped with an advanced heave compensation system for operation in the Grand Banks area.”
The combination of the PSV 5000’s flare-less bows, slender hull lines, and diesel electric propulsion with azimuth stern drives is designed to minimize fuel consumption and emissions, offer superior sea-keeping and dynamic positioning, and ensure crew comfort. Under Damen’s Clean Design and Environmental Care Protocol, the vessels will also feature fuel-efficient generators and a selective catalytic reduction system, in compliance with forthcoming environmental regulations.
The PSV 5000 vessels will join Atlantic Towing’s current fleet of nine offshore support vessels, playing a key role in the project’s iceberg-management program, as well as fulfilling standard PSV duties.
As part of its contract, Damen has committed to open a Damen certified service and maintenance center in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador.
07/07/2014
