Clean, Green and Comfortable

On 23 April 2014 multipurpose offshore vessel Deep Helder was launched at Shipyard De Hoop in Foxhol, the Netherlands. Accompanied by a Shanty choir singing sailor songs, the 64.8 metre long vessel slid down the cross slope. Deep Helder was designed to be cost-effective, meet environmental requirements and have a high-comfort class notation.

The construction of the offshore support vessel was commissioned by Seamar Subsea and after its delivery in June, Deep Helder will be chartered by DeepOcean from July for at least the coming five years. Deep Helder is going to sail under the Dutch flag, with Den Helder as her home port from where she will be manned and managed.

Tasks

According to Rick Green, general manager at DeepOcean, the Netherlands-based company will utilise the vessel to support the offshore oil and gas sector and the renewable market. Her tasks will, among others, consist of conducting geophysical, inspectional and geotechnical surveys, performing inspections, repairs and maintenance (IRM) and executing light weight trenching, excavation and mattress installation projects.

For this reason the diesel-electrically propelled Deep Helder is equipped with survey and ROV systems, an offshore crane, DP2, a four point mooring system and a triple moon pool. In addition the working deck consists of 500 square metres.

High comfort class vessel

Furthermore, the vessel is designed for low fuel consumption and received a clean ship and green passport classification by Bureau Veritas. In combination with a SPS2008, a high-comfort class, notation Deep Helder is the first Dutch offshore vessel to meet the demands for these specifications. The high-comfort class notation is among other things earned thanks to an ergonomically designed accommodation for 50 crew and staff members, who will be located in single or double cabins. In addition, meeting rooms, offices, recreational spaces and a gym can be found inside the Deep Helder.

”Our new vessel has the highest comfort level that exists in the offshore industry”, Leo Balkema, director at Seamar proudly explains. ”A lot of ship owners choose to construct their new vessel at a foreign shipyard as wages there are much lower. It is more expensive to build a brand new ship in the Netherlands, but the quality of the shipbuilders here you cannot get in Asia.”

Anne Kregting