Incat Crowther to Design Multi-purpose Dive Support Vessel

Incat Crowther contracted to design a 56m Catamaran Dive Support Vessel (DSV) for Bhagwan Marine, for operation by dive specialists Neptune Marine Services.

The vessel has been designed from the keel up to perform six key roles; Dive Support, Geophysical Survey, Geotechnical Survey, Cargo Transport, Hyperbaric Rescue and Safety Standby. With such a varied array of operational roles, unique solutions were required not only in the allocation of spaces, but also with the specification of a flexible, high-redundancy propulsion system.

The result is an advanced propulsion and powering package that will integrate a pair of Schottel STP 550 azimuthing drives. She will be fitted with four generator sets made up of two Cummins QSK38-M’s and two QSK19-M’s. An advanced power management system will make optimal use of the four generators and a battery bank to ensure each power source is used in the most effective way. The battery bank will store enough power to propel the ship for short periods. The vessel will have a top speed of 13.5 knots. The QSK-38-M generator sets are also directly coupled to fire pumps, which drive full immersion fire monitors whilst a separate pump will power a complete deluge system.

The Schottel drives combine with a pair of drop-down azimuthing bow thrusters and a Kongsberg control system to give the vessel DPS-2 manoeuvrability. The innovative system lends itself to the shallow draft dive operations the vessel will specialise in, as the forward azimuthing thrusters are able to maintain operation as tunnel thrusters when retracted. Further positioning capability is provided by a HIPAP 501 acoustic positioning system, which allows the vessel to maintain station relative to undersea reference points.


In addition, the vessel will be fitted with a 100-tonne, four-point mooring system featuring four deck winches and diagonally-oriented fairleads on all four corners of the vessel.
Unlike any other vessel of its size and type, this vessel will have all dive equipment designed and built in from the outset. A dedicated dive control room will be fitted with a pair of decompression chambers, with a hull compartment directly below dedicated to support equipment such as compressors and dive gas storage tanks. A pair of diver launch and recovery systems is to be fitted to starboard side, whilst a separate launch and recovery system is to be fitted to port for ROV operations. The vessel will also have the capacity to launch, retrieve and store a hyperbaric lifeboat.

The aft main deck’s 160m2 of cargo space is supplemented by a multitude of purpose-fitted deck equipment, including launch and recovery systems, tow pins, waterfall winches, stern roller, A-Frame and container securing lugs.

Accommodation cabins for a complement of 44 are situated in the hull and the mid deck. The hull also houses laundry facilities and a gymnasium. The mid-deck features an aft-facing survey room, which is linked to the wheelhouse by wireways, allowing operational flexibility.

The wheelhouse features complete all-round visibility, including aft-facing DP control stations.

The main deck of the vessel will house service spaces including an ROV control room and three workshops; as well as crew spaces such as a change room, cinema, dining mess and lounges and a commercial standard galley adjacent to dry and cold food storage spaces.