Home » Features » Bourbon gets Chinese X-bow PSV

Bourbon gets Chinese X-bow PSV

29 Nov 2011

‘Bourbon Front’ on its way to the North Sea (image: Bourbon)

‘Bourbon Front’ is the latest addition to join the Bourbon offshore support fleet and represents the first of a four-ship series based on the Ulstein design PX105 MACS.

This 4,250dwt newbuilding, designed by Ulstein Design in co-operation with Bourbon Offshore Norway, sports the Ulstein X-bow in addition to a number of features which are said to single the ship out as a next-generation large DP2 platform supply vessel. Built in China by the Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group’s Zhejiang shipyard, the Bourbon Front is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system which is the case with every Bourbon offshore supply vessel newbuilding.

The propulsion plant comprises four 1,775kW Caterpillar 3512C high speed diesel gensets powering two 2,500kW Schottel SCD 2020 combi drive twin-propeller azimuthing thrusters. Maximum speed is 15.5 knots, with a service speed of 12.7 knots. Two 1,400kW Brunvoll FU-80-LRC-2250 bow thrusters and a 850kW Brunvoll AR-63-LNC-1650 retractable azimuthing thruster provide the vessel with DP2 capability. Auxiliary gensets consist of one 425kW Caterpillar harbour generator and a 160kW Caterpillar emergency generator.

The Multi Application Cargo Solution (MACS), developed with the Norwegian PG Marine group, allows for maximum cargo flexibility through the use of combination tanks working with different types of cargo such as drill cutting, dry bulk, synthetic fluids, fuel oils and oil recovery. In addition to the eight MACS tanks with a total 925m³ capacity, the vessel is provided with 12 cargo tanks, each with a deep well pump, whereby the maximum number of cargo grades can be carried concurrently. By allowing one tank to be used for multiple cargos, the MACS system improves storage capacity over conventional offshore vessel design solutions. Bourbon Front is the company’s first vessel to be equipped with the MACS system.

She is arranged for oil recovery operations and designed to minimise environmental impact according to DNV ‘clean design’ class notation. The DP2 system gives high levels of manoeuvrability.

Instead of the traditional funnel based exhaust system, the vessel is fitted with a Mecmar wet exhaust system, which consists of a series of exhausts positioned just above the water line. This design choice, which eliminates funnels, provides a near 360° panoramic view from the navigation bridge. Furthermore, it enables quieter and more comfortable crew accommodation. Bourbon Front is the company’s first supply vessel to be equipped with the Mecmar wet exhaust system.

The integrated bridge system includes two Furuno FAR radars (type 2837S and 2827), two Furuno GP ‐ 150 GPS, three Raytheon Anschutz std 22 type 130 ‐ 613 gyros, a Furuno Telko chart system, an Anschutz NP 2025 auto pilot, an Anschutz satellite compass Type 110‐‐850, a Furuno FE‐700 echo sounder, a Furuno AIS NX-700B and a Furuno VR-3016 voyage data recorder.

Bourbon Front’s gross cargo deck area is 62.28m x 16.07m (1,017m²) with a load bearing capacity of 10 t/m². She is equipped with FiFi class 1 with the manifolds fitted on the stern.

Bourbon Front will first operate in the North Sea, and will be managed by Bourbon Offshore Norway. She will be followed by Bourbon Clear, Bourbon Calm and Bourbon Rainbow which are all scheduled for delivery by the first quarter of 2012.

Principal dimensions

Length oa 88.90m

Breadth moulded 19.00m

Depth 8.00m

Max Draught 6.60m

Deadweight 4,250 tonnes

Gross tonnage 3,950 tons

Main diesel generator engines 4 x 1,700kW Caterpillar 3512C high speed diesel

Main propulsion 2 x 2,500kW Schottel SCD 2020 twinpropeller azimuthing thrusters

Bow tunnel thrusters 2 x 1,400kW Brunvoll FU-80-LRC-2250

Bow retractable azimuth thruster 1 x 850 kW Brunvoll AR-63-LNC-1650

Harbour generator 425kW Caterpillar