The R/V Shackleford integrates the signature Teknicraft Design symmetrical and asymmetrical mixed hull form, bow wave piercer, and a patented hydrofoil-assisted hull design.
Bellingham, Wash.-based All American Marine (AAM) has delivered an offshore wind survey vessel to Geodyamics, a Newport, N.C.-based subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed NV5 Global Inc.
The analysis and hydrographic vessel, the R/V Shackleford, will service the rising offshore wind market in addition to being designed to undertake many different scientific survey missions.
With a size of 73 toes and beam of 26.7 toes, it has a semi-displacement aluminum catamaran hull that was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand, and can serve an integral function in NV5-Geodynamics’ mission of offering turnkey “single pass” offshore surveys.
Specifically custom-made to serve the quickly rising U.S. East Coast offshore wind sector, it was sea-trialed on Bellingham Bay, previous to transport by way of cargo ship to its homeport of Beaufort, N.C.
The vessel leverages the elemental, and confirmed, design parts of two earlier All American Marine deliveries, the Duke University Marine Lab’s R/V Shearwater and Blue Tide Puerto Rico’s R/V Blue Manta.
Named after Shackleford Banks, the southernmost barrier island within the Cape Lookout National Seashore chain the R/V Shackleford was constructed to USCG Subchapter T requirements.
The velocity and distinctive stability of this twin-engine hull design is prime for Geodynamics’ persevering with growth of its specialised nearshore / mid-shelf hydrographic and geophysical survey operations.
To scale back survey mobilization prices, the R/V Shackleford is outfitted with totally devoted and redundant survey methods, together with a Kongsberg EM 2040 MKII Multibeam Echosounder that’s deployed by way of the vessel’s moonpool by way of a retractable strut.
“To achieve the highest level of data accuracy day in and day out, our model over the last two decades is simple: we consider the boat as a precision survey instrument, purpose built for the specific survey environment and then wrapped around the ideal sensors for a specific set of missions,” stated Geodynamics SVP Chris Freeman. “This holistic approach to our vessel builds has proven successful time and again but requires a builder open to an uncompromised data-centric build. We chose All American Marine based on their experience and skillset in building such highly customized research vessels, vessels that are in service throughout North America. This new best-in-class vessel will provide an unmatched platform for our continued focus performing to the most stringent offshore survey specifications in the world, whether that is for nautical charting or for subsea exploration to support offshore wind development.”
The R/V Shackleford integrates the signature Teknicraft Design symmetrical and asymmetrical mixed hull form, bow wave piercer, and a patented hydrofoil-assisted hull design. The hull and hull parts are designed to interrupt up wave motion and guarantee decreased drag whereas enhancing passenger consolation. This design is confirmed to have each low-wake wash power and elevated gasoline economic system. This superior hull form was customized utilizing digital modeling and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) evaluation testing.
The vessel’s design provides all passengers and crew a easy journey and luxury, because the hull supplies a cushioned impact when encountering waves.
For the operator, probably the most helpful function of those vessels, says AAM, is the wonderful gasoline economic system, which consumes roughly the identical gallons per nautical mile all through the cruising velocity of 18-24 knots. With a big gasoline capability of 1,500 gallons, this fuel- environment friendly design is licensed for as much as 16-day passengers and has live-aboard lodging of as much as 10 passengers.
The propulsion package deal consists of 2x mounted pitch propellers, powered by twin EPA Tier 3 diesel engines, rated at 803 bhp @ 2100 RPM driving ZF 665V distant mounted gearboxes.
Onboard the offshore wind survey vessel, passengers and crew have snug quarters, massive state-of-the-art lab areas, and a full vary of hydrographic and marine geophysical instrumentation with which to conduct a wide range of survey missions.
“All American Marine remains committed to being on the leading edge of manufacturing techniques and an innovator in merging the latest technology into a functional and proven vessel,” stated All American Marine president & COO Ron Wille. “We are delighted to be delivering this vessel on time and on budget, as part of Geodynamics’ growing fleet. This vessel will enable Geodynamics to take their business to the next level, provide unmatched services and expand their scientific activities on the east coast significantly. The vessel will also help advance the rapidly growing wind farm industry on the East Coast and beyond.”
