ULSTEIN Delivers Next Generation Seismic Research Vessel Polarcus Amani (Norway)

ULSTEIN delivered the next generation seismic research vessel Polarcus Amani to marine geophysical company Polarcus on 29 March 2012. The vessel is of the SX134 design from ULSTEIN, and is vessel number seven in Polarcus’ fleet of some of the most modern and advanced seismic vessels in the world; all with the X-BOW® hull line design.

“Ulstein Verft is known for its punctual and high-quality deliveries, and with the delivery of Polarcus Amani, they have once again proven their ability to handle demanding building projects,” says CEO of Polarcus, Rolf Rønningen.

Polarcus Amani is the first Polarcus vessel built by ULSTEIN’s own shipyard in Norway. She is soon to be followed by her sister vessel, yard number 293, due for delivery at the end of Q2.

“Our cooperation with Polarcus in designing and building this state-of-the-art seismic vessel has been the very best,” confirms Gunvor Ulstein, CEO of Ulstein Group, who is looking forward to the companies’ continued collaboration. ULSTEIN has also delivered switchboards and the communication and information system ULSTEIN COM® to the vessel.

Arctic Approach

Polarcus Amani is an arctic-ready vessel designed and built for operations in arctic waters. She carries the ICE-1A and Winterized Basic notations from DNV, and can operate in first-year ice of up to 1 metre thickness without the assistance of icebreakers. The entire vessel is ice-reinforced with thicker ribs and skin plates. She has de-icing and ice-preventing systems at critical tanks and pipelines, and propellers, gears and thrusters are dimensioned for withstanding operations in ice. Escape corridors and rescue equipment are also protected against icing during arctic operations. Although 3D seismic acquisition will only take place in ice-free, or possibly bergy water conditions, the arctic qualities of the vessel enables it to move through ice on her way to and from the survey area, or remain in icy areas waiting for the ice to clear, increasing the operational window of the vessel.

Environmental efforts

Minimising environmental impact is central to Polarcus’ business philosophy and a focus area in all the company’s activities. This is particularly important when operating in fragile areas such as the arctic. A number of environmental initiatives have been taken when designing and building the Polarcus Amani.

“We take every precaution to prevent or minimise our environmental footprint,” says Peter Zickerman, Executive Vice President of Polarcus, and continues: “The vessel’s double hull and its advanced bilge water cleaning system and ballast water treatment system reduce emissions to water down to a minimum. The vessel, like the other vessels in our fleet, runs on marine gas oil (MGO) with low sulphur content and has high specification exhaust catalysts, which clean the exhaust before it is emitted to air. Polarcus Amani is also equipped with a diesel electric propulsion system. The vessel’s X-BOW hull line design is another of its many green features, in that it reduces fuel consumption and therefore emissions to air. This is one of the reasons why we only have X-BOWs in our fleet.”

Polarcus Amani carries the Clean Design notation from DNV.

Bad weather vessel

The hydrodynamic efficiency of the X-BOW, which leads to reduced emissions and more cost-effective operations, is not its only benefit. With its superior sea-keeping abilities, it also provides a safe and comfortable workplace for the crew both during transit and seismic surveys. This is particularly the case in heavy sea. The X-BOW eliminates slamming and hence increases the well-being of those on board.

“The X-BOW’s gliding movements and the absence of slamming allows us to relax and sleep uninterruptedly – a definite benefit for the people on board,” says a chief officer in Polarcus, who has plenty of experience with the tiring effect slamming has on the body from his time on board vessels with a conventional bow.

Polarcus Amani is a 3D 12-14 streamer seismic research vessel. The vessel has two workboats and a MOB boat on board. The seismic operation room is located midship over two decks in close vicinity to the seismic winches in the work area. The vessel is equipped with a helideck for added safety and to ensure an efficient crew change, and is built according to IMO code of safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS), enabling it to operate worldwide. Polarcus Amani has a length of 92 metres and a breadth of 21 metres. The ship has a towing pull of 82 tons in seismic operations and a maximum speed of 17 knots. Polarcus Amani is built with a hotel compliment with permanent capacity for 60 persons in 32 single and 14 double cabins. There is a mess room which seats 43, day rooms, internet café, gym and sauna, as well as a hospital, offices and a conference room.

Ulstein Group, headquartered in Ulsteinvik, Norway, is a trendsetter within ship design, shipbuilding and solutions within power and control. The company develops new solutions in close cooperation with customers worldwide. One example is the X-BOW® hull line design.

X-BOW®

The patented, inverted bow leads to reduced speed loss in waves. This provides higher transit speed or reduced power consumption, and hence improves fuel efficiency and reduces emission to air. The bow shape eliminates slamming and leads to a more comfortable workplace. The soft entry in waves reduces spray and eliminates icing.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, March 30, 2012; Images: ulstein