Kongsberg’s DP Systems for Two CrewZer Class Boats (USA)

Leading U.S. offshore marine support vessel operator SEACOR Marine LLC. (SEACOR Marine), located in Houma, Louisiana, has chosen Kongsberg Maritime to supply sophisticated Dynamic Positioning systems for two new 190-foot CrewZer Class Crew boats (also known as Fast supply vessels).

SEACOR Lynx and SEACOR Leopard are under construction at Gulfcraft Shipyard, located in Franklin, Louisiana, and are scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2013. The SEACOR Lynx and SEACOR Leopard will be the first Crew boats to operate using an ABS Class DP3 system, affording them the highest degree of manoeuvring safety available today.

As a pioneer in DP Crew boat design, SEACOR Marine is keen to ensure that its latest generation of CrewZer Class vessels meet the highest possible safety standards. ABS Class DP3 allows for significant DP operational safety including full protection of the system in case of fire and flooding. Kongsberg Maritime Inc., located in Houston, Texas, will install the pinnacle in DP system technology aboard the new vessels, in the form of a triple redundant KONGSBERG K-Pos DP3 system integrated with proprietary position reference and environmental sensor systems.

“Dynamic Positioning offers significant station keeping improvements compared to manual control,” explains Joe McCall, Project Manager, SEACOR Marine. “In order for a DP system to be effective, it has to be completely reliable in even the most extreme weather conditions, so we are enthusiastic about the installation of KONGSBERG DP3 aboard our new CrewZer class vessels. The system is designed to offer the highest redundancy and reliability which allows for safer transfers of cargo and personnel.”

“SEACOR Marine is at the forefront of DP Crew boat design and operation having built the world’s first ever DP Crew boat, the first DP1 and DP2 Crew boats, the world’s largest DP Crew boats and now the first DP3 Crew boat,” adds Ted Murphy Senior Sales Manager, Kongsberg Maritime Inc. “We have supplied KONGSBERG DP systems for all of these industry first vessels so are delighted to continue our close working relationship with SEACOR Marine on the next generation of the ground-breaking CrewZer Class vessels.”

The CrewZer Class features a twin-hull design that enables speeds of 46-knots, which is more than twice that of conventional Crew boats. CrewZer Crew boats feature safety focused design, based on utilising the most advanced technology available, such as an innovative “FROG” personnel transfer system and the latest DP3 system from Kongsberg Maritime. The DP3 rating of SEACOR Lynx and SEACOR Leopard combined with a wide, stable work deck, increases conventional operating windows even further than the previous generation CrewZer Class vessels, allowing the vessel to hold station in weather conditions where other vessels simply could not work.

“The KONGSBERG DP system for Crew boats is superior to any other system on the market today and the reliability and global support of the equipment in service is well proven,” concludes McCall.

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Source: KONGSBERG, May 9, 2012; Image: Incat Crowther