Singapore: Sembawang Shipyard Starts Construction of Research Vessel RV Investigator

Singapore based Sembawang Shipyard yesterday started the construction of Australia’s new AUD 120 million Marine National Facility research vessel. Following a rigorous procurement process undertaken by CSIRO, Teekay Holdings Australia Pty Ltd was awarded the contract in January 2011 to design, build and commission the new vessel.

The vessel is being designed by RALion (Robert Allan Ltd and Alion Science and Technology) from USA and Canada. Given the name RV Investigator after a national naming competition, the 89-metre vessel will accommodate 40 scientists and cover 10 000 nautical miles in each voyage.

RV Investigator will be used by Australian universities, research organizations and their international collaborators to undertake vital marine research that will inform CSIRO’s sustainable ocean management practices.

The construction process will take 28 months, with the ship scheduled to begin operating by mid 2013. This new vessel is going to replace a 40-year old Marine National Facility vessel Southern Surveyor.

Technical Profile:

Research Vessel: Multi-purpose

Length Overall: 88.9 m

Beam: 18.5 m

Draft: 5.5 m

Lloyds Classification: +100A1, +LMC, UMS, Ice 1c, IWS, EP, Research Vessel, DP (AM), DnV Silent R

Crew: 18 TBC

Science Complement: 40

Main engines: 4 diesel generators

Endurance: 60 days

DNV Silent-R:

The RV-Investigator will operate with low levels of radiated noise to allow for enhanced science operations

Capacities:

Fuel oil 900 tonnes, fresh water 250 tonnes, fresh water evaporator up to 2 x 15 t/day

Electrical supply:

690VAC, 415VAC and 240VAC cycle. Full uninterruptable power supply

Propulsion:

Two reversible electric propulsion motors driving two slow speed fixed pitch propellers

Dynamic Positioning:

DP1 (AM) which allows the vessel to hold station within defined limits/Bow thruster – retractable 1000Kw

Winches:

A large suite of scientific winches are available for conducting trawling, fishing, coring, CTD, hydrographic, and towed body operations.

Navigational equipment:

A full range of navigational equipment will be employed on the RV – Investigator in accordance with Australian and International standards

Radar equipment:

A full range of radar equipment will be employed on the RV – Investigator in accordance with Australian and International standards

Echo sounder:

A speedlog and echo sounder will be employed on the RV – Investigator in accordance with Australian and International standards

Communications:

In-Mar-Sat Comm, In-Mar-Sat Fleet Broadband voice/fax/data. Iridium ship-to-shore communications system voice/data. NextG phone, Satcom C (GMDSS compliant), HF/MF and VHF radios, weather fax. Possible addition of VSAT for high speed DATA transfer.

[mappress]

Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, January 31, 2012; Image: csiro