Dutch owner of offshore support vessels Vroon has announced the steelcutting ceremony for VOS Patriot vessel took place today, 25 September, at COSCO Guangdong Shipyard in China.
The ceremony was performed by Mina Ntemagkou, Vroon Newbuilding Superintendent.
VOS Patriot is the sixth in a series of PX121-type platform-supply vessels being built at the Shipyard for Vroon.
The vessels will be delivered to the company in 2015/2016 and are intended for operation in European waters by Vroon Offshore Services in Den Helder.
VOS Patriot is 83.4m long, with a beam of 18m and it can accommodate 26 people.
Thanks to flexible tank capacities, the PX121 is set up to support drilling activities with longer and deeper boreholes and activities further from shore. In addition to tanks for oil, water and drilling fluids, the vessel also has two stainless steel tanks for flammable liquids or corrosive chemicals. Each ship will be equipped with dynamic positioning system Class II and meets the requirements of ‘Clean Design’, according to ABS class.
The PX121, which has a maximum speed of approximately 15 knots and modern accommodation for 23 people, also comes with the iconic ULSTEIN X-BOW®. The X-BOW offers efficiency over a wide draught range, which is important for PSVs as they often operate with varying loads. Furthermore, the X-BOW has unique, advantageous qualities in terms of motion and propulsion efficiency in moderate and heavy seas. Its innovative shape eliminates wave slamming and bow impact delivering better performance, while reducing noise and vibration, which in turn translates to enhanced crew comfort and safety levels.
Related: COSCO to build two more PSVs for Vroon