Bhagwan Dryden Delivers Dive Support Vessel Solution

Incat Crowther’s first-of-type Catamaran Dive Support Vessel, Bhagwan Dryden, has set a new standard for catamaran dive support vessels since its launch and delivery earlier this year. Operational feedback has been positive for the vessel, which has already received high 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 (KPELF), Bhagwan Dryden is the first catamaran dive support vessel (DSV) with such a high level of integrated dive systems.
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. The vessel can work in shallow waters, offering operational efficiencies at these depths and is fitted with an ROV, two built in decompression chambers and two Pommec launch and recovery systems, with the diving systems boasting a depth rating of 50m.

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 integrates a pair of Schottel STP 550 azimuthing stern drives, azimuthing bow thrusters and generators. Bhagwan Dryden is fitted with four generator sets (two Cummins (CMI) QSK38-M’s and two QSK19-M’s), overseen by an advanced power management system that makes 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 stores enough power to propel the ship for short periods, whilst the generators can be powered up in stages to minimise fuel burn. The system offers both excellent low-speed efficiency (7 knots requires just 25% power) and manoeuvrability and a laden speed of 11 knots.

The QSK-38-M generator sets are also directly coupled to fire pumps, which drive full immersion fire monitors whilst a separate pump powers a complete deluge system.
The Schottel drives combine with a pair of drop-down azimuthing bow thrusters and a Kongsberg controlsystem to give the vessel DPS-2 manoeuvrability. The innovative system lends itself to shallow draft dive operations, as the forward azimuthing thrusters are able to maintain operation as tunnel thrusters when retracted. Further positioning capability is provided by a Sonardyne Ranger 2 USBL acoustic positioning system, which allows the vessel to maintain station relative to undersea reference points.

In addition, Bhagwan Dryden is fitted with a 100-tonne, four-point mooring system featuring four deck winches and diagonally-oriented fairleads on all four corners of the vessel.
The aft main deck’s 160m2 of cargo space, rated at 10t/m2 , is supplemented by a multitude of purpose-fitted deck equipment, including launch and recovery systems, stern roller, shark jaw, tow pins, A-Frame, waterfall  winches 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 houses 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.

SPECIFICATIONS – 56m CATAMARAN DIVE SUPPORT VESSEL
PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
Length Overall 186’ 5” / 56.8m
Length Waterline 183’ 1” / 55.8m
Beam Overall 52’ 6” / 16.00m
Draft (hull) 8’ 3” / 2.50m
Depth 20’ 7” / 6.25m
Construction Marine steel

CAPACITIES
Fuel (long range tanks) 34 870 gallons / 132 000 litres
Fuel (day tanks) 1 321 gallons / 5 000 litres
Fresh Water 12 152 gallons / 46 000 litres
Sullage 6 076 gallons / 23 000 litres
Black Water 3 170 gallons / 12 000 litres
Crew 12
Personnel 28
Aft Deck Area 160m2
Aft Deck Load 10t/m2
Aft Deck Capacity 150t
PROPULSION AND PERFORMANCE
Speed (Service) 10 knots
Speed (Max) 11 knots

Propulsion 2 x Schottel STP 550
Generators (prime) 2 x Cummins QSK38-DM
2 x Cummins QSK19-DM
Generator (emergency) Cummins QSB7

REGULATORY
Flag Australian Maritime Safety Authority / Unrestricted Service
Survey ABS ✠A1, ⓔOffshore Support Vessel (DSV AIR, SPS,FFV1) ✠
AMS ✠ACCU, ✠DPS-2, GP, ENVIRO, RRDA

DECK EQUIPMENT
Deck Crane HS Marine AKC245 HE4 (35.3t @ 7.3m)
A Frame 22t (HRC) 45t (static)
4-Point mooring system
Launch and Recovery Systems 2 x Diver’s LARS, 1 x ROV LARS
Waterfall Deck WInch
Container Securing Lugs
Stern Roller
For more information contact [email protected]