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New construction support vessel joins Solstad fleet

01 Feb 2011

‘Normand Pacific’ running her sea trials

The construction support vessel ‘Normand Pacific’, a custom built ship for diving and ROV-operations, entered into service with the Norwegian shipowner Solstad Offshore.

The hull was built at Stocznia Gdansk in Poland and the outfitting of the vessel was carried out by Bergen Group Fosen shipyard. The 6,718 dwt, 9,778gt newbuilding is based on the ST 256L design by Skipsteknisk in Ålesund and measures 122m long and 23m wide. It has a 1,300m² cargo deck, a 200 tonne MacGregor offshore active heave-compensated (AHC) knuckle-jib crane and will be prepared for installation of ROV systems and a 24-man diving system for 24 hour diving operations.

The Normand Pacific is powered by a diesel electric propulsion system comprising four Wärtsilä 8L32 medium speed diesel fuelled gensets each producing an output of 3,690kW at 720 rpm. This 14,760kW power plant generates electricity for the main propulsors consisting of two 3,200kW Schottel rudder-propellers 3030 CP and one 2,200kW retractable Brunvoll thruster which give the vessel a maximum speed of 15 knots and a service speed of 12 knots. In addition, two Caterpillar type 3412TA diesel emergency and harbour gensets are fitted, each with an output of 590 kWe at 1,800 rpm.

Manoeuvrability is enhanced by the installation of two 2,000kW Brunvoll tunnel thrusters and one 2,000kW Brunvoll stern thruster. The comprehensive propulsion system is controlled by a Kongsberg Type K - Pos DP-21 and K-Pos DP-11 (AUTRO) to give the vessel a DP3 capability.

A 21m diameter helicopter deck is located over the bow and the vessel is also fitted with a 7.2 x 7.2m moonpool.