Damen delivers FCS 2610 workboat to Atlantic Maritime

Damen Shipyards Group has delivered a Damen Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 2610 workboat, named AOS SWIFT for the Atlantic Maritime Group to be used for passenger and crew transfer to offshore platforms in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Damen, the delivery took place on August 20, 2015. The Dutch shipbuilder said that this was the first Damen Twin Axe vessel to be used in the Middle East for passenger and crew transfer as well as for the transport of industrial persons, materials and equipment to unmanned offshore platforms in the Strait of Hormuz.

Damen signed the contract with Atlantic Maritime Group, in the United Arab Emirates, on June 1, 2015. Damen said that the vessel would be chartered to a Norwegian oil and gas company for its platform operations offshore Oman, but it did not name the company.

The Dutch company noted that up to 35 industrial persons are transported to and from the platform daily, adding that, although there is a heliport on the unmanned platform, it is much more efficient and less costly to do personnel transfer by sea.

“Damen specialises in broader marine access in the offshore wind and oil and gas industries. We see a large potential in this marine access market to reduce costs and improve logistics as well as to partially replace helicopter flights which can be expensive and less efficient. And some unmanned platforms are without heliports and only have marine access,” explains Damen Business Development Manager David Stibbe.

Damen further said that the vessel was shipped from Damen Shipyards Gorinchem to Damen Shipyards Sharjah for further customization and outfitting. Describing the vessel, Damen says that the 25.75-meter long workboat’s twin hull design features robust fendering. A gas detection has also been installed and extra air-conditioning added, as the vessel is for the Middle East climate zone.

This FCS workboat, Damen further explains, is also equipped with an additional hydraulically-operated 2200 kg crane with a reach of 8.6 metres and has deck space for two 20ft containers. The vessel is also equipped with a GPS Plot self-managed Man Overboard system and a Jason cradle for emergency personnel recovery. The workboat houses a total of 35 passengers plus crew. The operational speed of the AOS Swift is 25 knots maximum.

[mappress mapid=”2494″]