Rapp Hydema Winches for Alaska Research Vessel

Rapp Hydema NW has been awarded a major contract for supply of a complete suite of winches including oceanographic traction, hydrographic, and CTD winches, two storage reels, side-handling boom, control systems and other equipment for the Alaska Regional Research Vessel (ARRV).  The vessel is being built at Marinette Marine Shipyard. In addition, Rapp was awarded integrative services as Scientific Handling Services Integrator (SHSI) for the project. The vessel is to be operated by the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

Rapp earlier provided all deck machinery for the four NOAA FSV class vessels already commissioned.  In addition, Rapp has just been awarded the deck machinery package and integration services for the fifth NOAA FSV class vessel.  As with ARRV, all of the winches for the 5th NOAA vessel will be electric.  Rapp has been supplying research and survey winches to a worldwide clientele since 1977.  Within two weeks of the ARRV award, for example, Rapp also won the winch package for the Polar Supply and Research Vessel for the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (STX Finland Oy).      

Rapp has supplied a number of electric winches into the ROV/deepwater market in recent years, featuring variable-frequency drives and (sometimes) utilizing Active Heave Compensation (AHC) technologies.  Rapp’s commitment to winch-powering technology is reflected in development of a recently-patented liquid-cooled motor design.  And Rapp’s unique liquid-cooled motor has just been recognized—as a Spotlight on Technology Award recipient at this year’s Offshore Technology Conference—for its new and innovative technology

“The selection of Rapp as Scientific Handling System Integrator (SHSI) also allows us, once again, to demonstrate the integration skills and lessons learned during the NOAA FSV program,” said Scott R. Atkinson, Vice President of Government Contracts at Rapp.  “For Rapp, the ARRV award is a watershed event in Rapp’s expanding base of government work.  Late last year, Rapp won a new winch order from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, and even more recently has won service, parts and/or refurbishment work for various university research vessels.”