Swire Seabed News

Norway-based subsea operations specialist Swire Seabed and compatriot provider of comprehensive ocean bottom seismic (OBS) solutions to the global oil and gas industry Seabed Solutions have signed an exclusive cooperation agreement for the provision of subsea dredging services worldwide.A joint press release said that the expertise of the two companies is complementary, with Swire Seabed providing the Seabed Excavator, a state-of-the-art tracked subsea dredging vehicle with numerous capabilities, and Seabed Solutions years of dredging competence and experience.The Seabed Excavator system is the safest and most powerful system of its kind…

Swire Seabed has signed a three year bareboat charter with Siem Offshore for the LCV Siem Stingray. The vessel, which will be re-named Seabed Stingray, is an Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR), Construction and Survey vessel of the VARD design. She is 120.90 metres in length with a deck space of 1350 m² and is equipped with a 250 tonne offshore crane. She will also have two heavy duty work class ROVs. The contract will see Swire Seabed operate the vessel in the IMR, Construction Support and Renewable sectors, with a particular focus on North European and West African markets. Siem Stingray was formerly working in the GoM for Subsea 7, executing the BP IMR & Light Construction Frame Agreement.

Subsea operations specialist, Swire Seabed AS has taken delivery of its fourth subsea vessel, Seabed Constructor. Swire Seabed has secured a six-year contract for Seabed Constructor with UK based Ocean Infinity. The vessel will be carrying out AUV based survey and construction support operations on a global basis. The vessel is a multi-functional subsea support and construction vessel of MT6022 MK II design. 115 metres in length and with a beam of 22 metres, Seabed Constructor is equipped with a 250-tonne crane and a free deck space of 1,300 square metres. “The decision to invest in this high quality subsea vessel is part of Swire Seabed’s long-term growth strategy.

Subsea operation specialist, Swire Seabed, has placed an order for the acquisition of two Kystdesign Supporter Work-Class Remotely Operated Vehicles (WROVs) with Lidan Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS), for delivery in February 2016. Swire Seabed has the option to purchase two more WROVs. Swire Seabed prides itself on its strong track record of undertaking a wide range of subsea operations and its team of highly experienced onshore and offshore specialists. Swire Seabed’s other mobile subsea assets include a 6,000 metres depth rated Argus Bathysaurus XL WROV, a Sperre Subfighter 15k observation ROV and the Seabed Excavator, a cutting-edge multi-purpose subsea tool carrier and dredging vehicle.

A Subfighter 15k ROV  has been mobilised onto the Swire Seabed AS vessel, deployed using an active heave compensated LARS system. The vessel is also fitted with a 3,000m Heavy Duty Work Class ROV, currently operated by an active heave compensated A-Frame system. This additional ROV will increase redundancy on certain IMR and subsea requirements and also present the opportunity for simultaneous operations. Seabed Prince is currently available prompt in Dundee, having completed a North Sea sensor recovery project on 16th December.

Odyssey Marine Exploration, pioneers in the field of deep-ocean exploration, announce their contract with JBR Recovery Limited to support the logistics, refining and monetization of the anticipated silver cargoes from SS Gairsoppa and SS Mantola when recovered. Both the Gairsoppa and Mantola projects are being conducted under contract with the UK Department for Transport. Under these contracts, which follow standard commercial practices, Odyssey will retain 80% of the net salved value of the cargoes after recovery of expenses. Both merchant ships were torpedoed by German submarines, the Gairsoppa during WWII and the Mantola during WWI. During those wars, the UK government insured privately owned cargo under their War Risk Insurance program.

Historical records indicate the Gairsoppa was carrying up to seven million ounces of silver and the Mantola was carrying approximately 600,000 ounces of silver when each sank. Odyssey discovered both shipwrecks in Q3 2011 and conducted a series of reconnaissance dives to both sites in March and April 2012. Both the Gairsoppa and Mantola projects are being conducted under contract with the UK Department for Transport. Under these contracts, which follow standard commercial practices, Odyssey will retain 80% of the net salved value of the cargoes after recovery of expenses.