U.A.E: Polarcus Takes Delivery of 3D Seismic Vessel Polarcus Adira

ULSTEIN® delivered the high-tech seismic research vessel Polarcus Adira to marine geophysical company Polarcus. The vessel of the SX134 design is vessel number eight in Polarcus’ fleet of modern and advanced seismic vessels, all designed by ULSTEIN.

“ULSTEIN set the standard with the punctual delivery of Polarcus Amani in March this year, and with the delivery of Polarcus Adira they have once again lived up to their reputation as a reliable partner with the ability to deliver quality vessels on time,” says CEO of Polarcus, Rolf Rønningen.

Polarcus Adira will commence her first seismic acquisition charter for TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) offshore Norway shortly after delivery.

Feedback on the performance of Polarcus Amani after the first few months in operation confirms the quality of the vessel and the qualities of the design. “Polarcus Amani has operated safely, efficiently and ahead of schedule since her delivery in March. We, and our clients, are very happy with her performance to date,” says Duncan Eley, Senior VP Marine Acquisition Polarcus.

“The cooperation with Polarcus on both projects has been excellent and also very rewarding, and we hope to welcome them back to ULSTEIN in the future,” says Managing Director in Ulstein Verft, Karsten Sævik. In addition to design and construction, the group has delivered switchboards and the communication and information system ULSTEIN COM® to Polarcus Adira.

Green initiatives

A number of environmental initiatives have been taken when designing and building Polarcus Adira. 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 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 Adira is also equipped with a diesel electric propulsion system. The vessel’s X-BOW® hull line design reduces fuel consumption and therefore emissions to air. Polarcus Adira carries the Clean Design notation from DNV.

Comfortable vessel

The X-BOW hull line design provides for 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.

Arctic-ready

Polarcus Adira 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. Polarcus Adira 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.

Polarcus Adira 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 Adira 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. The vessel 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.

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Subsea World News Staff , June 21, 2012;  Image: Polarcus