New Delta Daughter craft RIB’s delivered for Vroon Offshore Services (VOS) North Sea fleet

Jan. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- Based on Delta’s successful Phantom model, these new daughter craft RIBs had to satisfy Bureau Veritas (BV), MCA and Vroon - so underwent a series of stringent functional and operational safety tests. The first craft delivered passed with flying colours, displaying excellent manoeuvrability and comfortably achieving 34 knots with seven people on board. Attending the trials was a full team comprising Marcel van der Ploeg (from the Newbuilding Team Vroon B.V.), Gordon Coull (Vroon Offshore Services Ltd's FRC Workshop Manager) and Stuart Thom (Manager of Ship Management Vroon Offshore Services Ltd.).

The seven daughter craft RIBs are 10.6m LOA, 3.36m wide and draw 0.71m. All up weight (including 430 litres of fuel, three crew and 9 x 85kg survivors) comes in at 7062 kg. Twin Yanmar 6BY-240 engines power the craft via twin Hamilton HJ241 waterjets.

The first two have been successfully transported to China where they underwent further testing and synchronising of specialist equipment fitted on the mother vessels. They will bejoining Vroon's fleet of ERRVs in the North Sea.

In addition to the current class and statutory requirements for this type of craft, VOS also required additional safety features based on its extensive operational experience. These include allowing for increased manning weight of 85 kg/person (rather than current 75 kg/person).

VOS also specified Water Jet drives (for increased safety and manoeuvrability). And the craft feature single point lift couplings (with davit docking interface) and a newly designed solid buoyant fendering system.  This is constructed using polyurethane coated, closed cell foam sections that ensure the fender will not absorb or hold any seawater. It also allows individual sections to be changed if damaged.

www.deltapower.co.uk