Diving Systems News

Classification society DNV has published updates to its rules for classification of ships and offshore structures.The new rules—published on July 1 and slated to enter into force on January 1, 2025—support the development and deployment of decarbonization technologies. In addition, new in-operation class notations seek to bring clarity to the responsibilities of class customers for notations that have a mix of design and operational requirements, DNV said.“One of the most striking aspects of the maritime industry today…

Classification society DNV said it is set to publish its new set of rules and standards for the offshore industry.The new rules, which cover several segments, including underwater systems and installations, offshore units, diving systems, structural design, and drilling systems, will be published in July and enter into force on January 1, 2025. They have been developed with extensive industry feedback, undergoing an external hearing process before their publication and entry into force.“The offshore sector is one of the most innovative in the world…

Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) has signed a new agreement with the Maritime Administration of the Republic of Cyprus (the Cyprus MA).The new agreement extends the scope of the RS authorization by the Cyprus MA. In particular, RS is now authorized to perform surveys of ships flying the flag of the Republic of Cyprus for compliance with the requirements of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships, Code of Safety for Diving Systems.The agreement is effective from August 1, 2019, said Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.On behalf of the Cyprus MA, the agreement was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Shipping Deputy Ministry…

The provider of  comprehensive services to oil and maritime companies,  Chet Morrison Contractors (Morrison) has acquired two pipelay/construction barges and a saturation diving system from an undisclosed seller in a move to double the size of its pipelay barge fleet.Louisiana based energy services company said in a press release that the first asset it acquired is LB Super Chief, a 265 ft x 72 ft ABS-classed pipelay barge with accommodations for 93 personnel. It is outfitted with a 100 KIP pipe tensioner, is U.S. flagged and provides extended capabilities for pipe size and water depth lay and recovery.It also acquired DLB Subsea Vision, a 415 ft x 100 ft ABS-classed pipelay and construction barge with accommodations for up to 140 personnel.

As Oceanology International celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Marine Technology Reporter explores half a century of subsea technology development and discovery. Oceanology International Americas runs February 25-27, 2019 in San Diego.When Oceanology launched in 1969 in the seaside resort of Brighton the world was a very different place. For a start, Brighton was home to the mods and rockers, who would square off against each other on the town’s elegant seafront. The British currency included shillings and ha’ pennies and man had yet to step foot on the moon.More crucially…

Veecraft Marine, subsidiary of Paramount Maritime Holdings, and Unique Group announced a strategic Agreement for the continued manufacture of the next-generation HYDRACraft 1400 Diving Daughtercraft. The maritime platform will be deployed by Unique Group customers with the primary purpose of supporting ongoing offshore oil and gas diving operations.The combination of lightweight composites and aluminum ship building technologies, the light weight 14m, MCA certified HYDRACraft…

Sunk by Japanese torpedoes near the end of World War II, heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis disappeared to the darkest depths of the Philippine Sea, where it remained undiscovered for more than 70 years. Recently a team of civilian researchers led by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen set out equipped with an arsenal of high-tech search equipment on a mission to locate the historic vessel last seen on July 30, 1945. The story of the USS Indianapolis is one of military might, heroism, tragedy, controversy and mystery.

James Fisher has acquired the entire share capital of Lexmar Engineering Pte Limited and Lexmar Sat Systems Pte Limited (together 'Lexmar'). Lexmar, which was founded in 1996 in Singapore and a specialist providing diving equipment, will become part of JFD and will enhance JFD's saturation diving capability and offering. Together JFD and Lexmar will improve the regional support and capability to defence markets within the Asia Pacific region. The business, complementary to JFD’s specialist technical division, is currently completing three 18 man twin bell saturation diving systems. They are currently in the process of undertaking installation and commissioning in China and will commence the third system in Singapore early 2017.

JFD, part of James Fisher and Sons plc, announced that it has won a contract with Singaporean company Flash Tekk Engineering for the design and manufacture of up to eight Self-Propelled Hyperbaric Lifeboats (SPHL). A development to improve operational safety standards, SPHLs are to be installed as part of the saturation diving systems on the new Red-Class fleet of Diving Support Vessels (DSV). The SPHLs are currently under construction for Flash Tekk’s parent company Ultra Deep Solutions, the builder and operator of ultra-deep diving heavy construction vessels.

United Arab Emirates leading shipyard Grandweld has delivered a dive maintenance and support vessel TAWAM1 to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Grandweld took the newbuild project from conception to completion, designing and building the 50-meter long vessel with a 65-ton bollard pull capability, after signing a contract in December 2013 with -ADNOC. TAWAM1 will be operated by ADNOC’s group company, Abu Dhabi Petroleum Ports Operating Company (IRSHAD). Among its specifications, TAWAM1 is equipped with anchor handling equipment and an offshore lifting crane with a capacity of 35 ton at 7.5-meter reach. This will be utilized to maneuver heavy lift items such as gravity anchors, mooring buoys and SBM hoses.

International inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) company Harkand aims to be a $1 billion company. MR’s Tom Mulligan recently met with John Reed, the company’s CEO, to discuss his vision for the future and how Harkand aims to achieve its goal of being the leading subsea IRM and light construction contractor globally. Established in 2012 and headquartered in London with operations bases in Aberdeen, Houston, Mexico, and Ghana, global subsea IRM group Harkand has been expanding its business operations rapidly throughout North America…

Unique Group, an integrated turnkey subsea and offshore solution provider, has now delivered two new dive systems and a diving vessel worth around £5 million to global services provider, Vertech. The Hydracraft 1500 Daughter Craft vessel, named the Vaila, is nearly 50 feet long and designed for air diving activity. The hull is designed to provide an enhanced stability, optimizing operational efficiency. Unique Group’s UK Managing Director, Ray Hughes, handed the vessel over to Vertech’s UK Managing Director, John Marsden, and Vertech’s Diving Manager, Alan Melia in Aberdeen last week.

Royal IHC and Dräger have joined forces to offer the market a single source for fully integrated Diving Support Vessels.   The initial focus will lie on the market segment of vessels with automated, 18-person, twin bell saturation diving systems. The alliance will bear total responsibility for the execution of projects, including full integration and certification, while maintaining interaction with the client.   In understanding the complexities and commercial risks associated with procuring, integrating and certifying a DSV, the IHC and Dräger alliance is specifically structured to simplify the process. This simplification results in a solution through a single contract between the customer and IHC, with Dräger as a fully allied subcontractor.

Irwin F. Edenzon, the retired president of Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division, accepted the Navy League of the United States' Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Award last night. The Navy League presented the award at the annual Sea-Air-Space Black Tie Reception and Banquet at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The Nimitz award honors an industry leader who has made a major contribution to the nation's maritime strength or enhanced national security.

Harkand won a multi-million contract with Maersk Oil North Sea Ltd for the provision of DSV services in the North Sea region. The 12-month contract will be serviced by Harkand’s two DSVs, the Harkand Da Vinci and Harkand Atlantis, supported by project management and engineering from Harkand’s Aberdeen office. The contract covers well tie-ins, structure installation, piling, flexible flowline lay, flexible riser installation, pre-commissioning, riser recovery, decommissioning and general inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) work.

T&T Salvage continues to support shipowners with prompt, safe and cost-effective solutions to complex salvage, wreck removal, and anti-pollution challenges. A comprehensive management team, with an average of 26 years in the industry, has quickly propelled T&T as a leader to top-level shipping and offshore players. This team includes a diverse group of industry leaders including Salvage Masters, Project Managers, Master Mariners, Insurance Managers, USCG officers, Fleet Superintendents, and HSEQ experts, thus providing a package of experience ready to provide total service.

Incat Crowther’s first-of-type Catamaran Dive Support Vessel, Bhagwan Dryden, was launched and delivered earlier this year. According to the designer, operational feedback has been positive for the vessel, which has already received praise for initial operations, including mooring inspection carried out by ROV and operations under four point mooring and DP in shallow, rough seas. Developed in conjunction with Bhagwan Marine, and built by Keppel, Bhagwan Dryden has been designed from the keel up to perform six key roles…

Unique   (UH), a division of the Unique Maritime Group (UMG), received its second order this year for its diving daughter craft system called the HYDRACraft. Unique Hydra has spent the past 12months engaging with clients to understand their diving daughter craft operational and equipment requirements and developing a purpose built vessel which includes a fully integrated dive system. Diving Daughtercraft systems are used in diving operations where the conventional diving DSV is not able to position itself close enough to an FPSO or Offshore Platform.

The acquisition of the subsea business of Stork Technical Services in Aberdeen is a next step in the realization of the growth strategy pursued by both companies and reaffirms the commitment of N-Sea to its strategy of becoming a leading Survey and IMR company, N-Sea said. The combined businesses will have a position in North Europe delivering IMR and Survey solutions to operators with subsea infrastructures in the oil and gas as well as  renewable industries. Post acquisition the enterprise will employ more than 120 onshore staff…

Harkand has increased its presence in the burgeoning Asia Pacific region by securing a clutch of multimillion dollar contracts for execution in 2013/14. Under a deal with PTSC Offshore Services, the ROV support vessel Harkand Harmony has been deployed on its first charter since joining the fleet in August and is carrying out flexible lay operations in the Ruby Field, offshore Vietnam, with the charter expected complete in late November. The contract commenced in October with the work scope including a heavy duty Work ROV and provision of personnel.

Did you participate in Science Fair(s) individually or in a team of up to three persons, or participate in experimental science or engineering projects in 2013 involving Marine Sciences? If so, why not enter the Education Committees of the American Salvage Association (ASA) and the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA competition to win a cash prize. Your project will be evaluated by both associations for awards with one submission. Papers and abstracts will be accepted from August 1, 2013 - September 15, 2013. Winners will be notified on or before October 15, 2013. Competition will be divided into 2 groups for prizes, High School 9-12th grades and Undergraduate students.

Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) and Nordic Yards Wismar GMBH have signed an agreement on classification under construction and survey for compliance with the applicable statutory requirements of two MPSV 06 NY multipurpose icebreaking salvage vessels. The ships of 7 MW each to be constructed by 2015 in Wismar (Germany) under the Federal Target Program Transport System Development in Russia (2010-2015) by the order of the Federal Treasury Institution State Customer Directorate for Sea Transport Development Programs. The basic MPSV 06 project was developed by the Marine Engineering Bureau and finalized by Nordic Yards Wismar GMBH. The project RS class notation is КM Icebreaker6 [2] AUT1-ICS OMBO FF2WS EPP DYNPOS-2 Tug SDS<60 Salvage ship.

Harkand said it is pursuing its investment strategy in Asia Pacific with the addition of a multi-million dollar new build ROV support vessel and the appointment of a new general manager to lead future growth. In the first of two major milestones for the group, the Harkand Harmony has been secured on a three-year hire purchase that will see Harkand extend its inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) services in the growing Asia Pacific region. The 65-meter vessel, built by ASL Marine Holdings at Batam near Singapore, will be fitted with one Comanche workclass ROV for ROV support and air diving activities in the region, as well as a full survey kit and team for survey operations.