Sibu-Built Geotech Vessel

By Alan Haig-Brown

Sapor Shipbuilding Industries Sdn Bnd. kept busy though 2010 delivering a range of new vessels including the geotechnical vessel, Teknik Wira, from the boards of Wartsila Ship Design Singapore Pte Ltd. With her raised fo’c’sle and well-proportioned housework she presents a powerful presence that is supported by her particulars.
 
With a 52.5-ft beam carried on an overall length of 201 ft, the vessel has impressive capabilities. Her large aft deck has a moon pool and a derrick rig as well as a five-ton crane. A pair of tugger winches and capstans are fitted to ease the movement of materials around the deck. To assist with holding position for the soil investigation works the boat has large anchors and mooring winches. In addition a dynamic positioning system utilizes Berg electric bow and stern thrusters. Tankage includes 730 cubic meters of water, 417 cu mt of fuel. Accommodation is provided for up to 50 people.
 
The main engines are a pair of Cummins KTA50M2 diesels delivering 1600 HP each at 1800 RPM each to Reintjes LAF675 marine gears with 7.476:1 reduction. The reduced RPM go to twin Berg controllable pitch propellers type BCP620. The combination gives the vessel a 12-knot speed light ship and 11 knots fully loaded. 
 
Auxiliary power is provided by two 300 kW shaft generators, three Cummins 500 kWe, 28-liter KTA28-D(M)-powered generators. The designation kWe indicates the approximate engine output in the keel-cooled version. A Cummins 6BT5.9 D(M) powered gen set provided emergency power. The Scott & English facility in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia, supplied all engines for the Teknik Wira.
 
The new Port Kelang, Malaysia registered vessel was delivered to her owners, SapuraCrest Petroleum's subsidiary TL Geotechnics, in July of 2010.