Damen Delivers Fourth Seismic Chaser to Rederij Groen

Image: Damen

Dutch offshore services company Rederij Groen has taken delivery of the ‘7-Waves’, the second of three identical Seismic Research Support Vessels ordered from Damen Shipyards Group.  

The third vessel of this series is planned for delivery in January 2015 from Damen’s Maaskant yard and all three will eventually be placed on charter to Dolphin Geophysical.

Prior to ordering the three 35-metre Seismic Research Support Vessels of this current ‘7’-class in November 2013, Rederij Groen had commissioned the building of the 40-meter SRSV’s ‘Astra-G’ and ‘Aquarius-G’ which were were delivered early 2013.

On guard

Also called guard vessels, their major task is to ensure that other shipping, mainly fishing ships, will keep distance from seismic survey vessels engaged in offshore exploration. So to literally chase them off, hence: chasers. The trawlers’ nets might otherwise damage the costly seismic equipment being trailed.

The ‘Astra-G and Aquarius-G’ were designed from scratch by Maaskant, Groen and Saltwater Engineering together.  While the 35 meter Danish design resembles the fishing trawler more, the 40-meter Dutch design offers more free deck space. The general deck arrangement is, however, similar to Groen’s first two SRSV’s, which has proven to be efficient.

The first of the 7-Oceans series was delivered by Maaskant Shipyards in July 2014 and feature two Veth azimuth stern drives (ASD), each driven by a 500 kW electric motor.  Power is supplied by three 525 kVA Caterpillar C18 generator sets.

The electronic system complies with an A4 service area, for operations in Arctic waters.

Main characteristics

• LOA : 35.00 m
• Beam :   8.70 m
• Depth :   4.40 m
• Gross Tonnage :  370
• Speed : 12 knots
• Crew : 6 + 8 spare accommodation
• Classification : Lloyd’s Register Ice class 
• Flag : Panama
• Owner : Rederij Groen B.V. Scheveningen

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