New Vessel for Alpine Ocean Seismic

Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey (USA) has launched the multi-use research vessel R/V Shearwater. With the addition of this new vessel, Alpine can now further expand its offerings of turnkey data collection and other surveying services to offshore clients, including wind, tidal, civil engineering, shoreline protection, submarine cable, pipeline, oil, and natural gas project developers.

 

With offshore wind projects totalling 6,800MW in the works off the East Coast alone, experts say the demand for specialty vessels like the Shearwater will soar.

The shallow draft (6.5’) 110’ x 40’ aluminium twin-hull Shearwater has numerous advantages for offshore work. Her superior positioning and line-keeping performance provides the essential components for both research work and transfer and supply services to development sites and working installations. The hydraulic propulsion system results in impressive fuel-efficiency and excellent manoeuvrability while reducing vessel noise. The Shearwater also features two equipment moon pools, a crane, hydraulic stern A-frame, fixed starboard A-frame, dedicated equipment winches, laboratory and office space with onboard data processing capabilities, and can accommodate up to 20 people on a 24-hour basis.

Since its March commissioning, the vessel has completed several projects on the Gulf and East Coasts for clients including the US Army Corps of Engineers and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Clients tout the vessel’s unique configuration capabilities, spacious decks and workspaces, and a propulsion system that facilitates high-precision line- and station-keeping.