Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey, a provider of marine surveying and data collection services, announces the launch of the multi-use research vessel, the R/V Shearwater. With the addition of this new vessel, Alpine can now further expand its offerings of turnkey data collection and other surveying services to offshore clients, including wind, tidal, civil engineering, shoreline protection, submarine cable, pipeline, oil, and natural gas project developers. With offshore wind projects totaling 6,800 MW in the works off the East Coast alone, experts say the demand for specialty vessels like the Shearwater will soar.
“The Shearwater is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose platform with fantastic maneuverability, and that means it’s a great choice for both offshore and near-shore projects,” says Robert Mecarini, executive vice president, Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey . “The flexibility means our customers can get a lot value for their money – we can deploy a variety of specialized equipment, collect data, and process it quickly right on board.”
The shallow draft (6.5’) 110’ x 40’ aluminum twin hull Shearwater has numerous advantages for offshore work. Its superior positioning and line-keeping performance provides the essential components for both research work and transfer and supply services to development sites and working installations. The hydraulic propulsion system results in impressive fuel-efficiency and excellent maneuverability while reducing vessel noise. The Shearwater also features two equipment moon pools, a crane, hydraulic stern A-frame, fixed starboard A-frame, dedicated equipment winches, laboratory and office space with onboard data processing capabilities, and can accommodate up to 20 people on a 24-hour basis.
Since its March commissioning, the vessel has completed several projects on the Gulf and East Coasts for clients including the US Army Corps of Engineers and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Clients tout the vessel’s unique configuration capabilities, spacious decks and workspaces, and a propulsion system that facilitates high-precision line- and station-keeping.
Key Features of the Shearwater
The R/V Shearwater is equipped with state-of-the art propulsion, lifting and lowering equipment, and hull customization that improve underwater data gathering, including:
● Hydraulic thruster propulsion with 360-degree rotation capacity
● Hydraulic crane with two-ton capacity at 38-foot boom extension
● One-ton hydraulic stern A-frame
● Five-ton fixed starboard A-frame
● Dedicated equipment-handling winches
● Equipment moon pools in port and starboard hulls
The R/V Shearwater provides numerous advantages for offshore work demanding extended periods at sea, including:
● Dedicated laboratory space
● Dedicated office space
● 14-day autonomy
● Redundant generators
● Desalination system
● Sleeping quarters for 20 people, including separate client quarters
In operation since 1957, Alpine has global experience delivering underwater services for offshore, coastal, and inland marine and freshwater projects. Now part of the Gardline Marine Sciences Group, a UK-based company with decades of expertise in marine services for renewable and other energy projects worldwide, Alpine is a key partner to companies with projects under development in the burgeoning U.S. offshore renewable energy market. In addition to providing the professional services that leverage the vessel’s superior marine capabilities for turnkey operations, Alpine leases the Shearwater and its crew to independent services providers.
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Source: AlpineOcean, May 10, 2011.