INNOVATION July-August 2016

Rotortug® Infield Support Vessels for Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Facility

Robert Allan Ltd., Naval Architects, of Vancouver, designed the world’s first purpose-built infield support vessels (ISVs) for Shell’s Prelude floating liquid natural gas (LNG) facility off northwest Australia. The first of three of the Rotortug ® vessels completed trials at ASL Shipyards, Singapore, for owners KT Maritime Services. Propulsion of the highly manoeuvrable, powerful vessels features three azimuthing propulsion units. The tugs measure 41.95 metres x 16.00 metres and develop more than 100 tonnes bollard pull both ahead and astern. The vessels’ tasks include berthing LNG carriers, condensate-tanker tow-backs, pilot transfer, floating-hose handling, as well as contributing to security, emergency response, rescue, and evacuation requirements. Innovative design features include all pollutant liquids stored off the shell, an 800-millimetre-diameter vertically retractable towing fairlead, and a comprehensive LNG protection system. APEGBC members, design team: Todd Barber, P. Eng., Robin Stapleton, P. Eng., Bart Stockdill, P.Eng.

Eagle Rock Aggregates’ Aggregate Import Berth Eagle Rock Aggregates commissioned an aggregate import berth at Long Beach, California, in July 2015. Seabulk Inc. provided enterprise performance management services for the facility. The novel berth design for self-unloading bulk carriers comprises dual floating stiff-leg moorings that use a load path to shore foundations at a site where obstructions preclude conventional pile-supported structures. Advantages over conventional approaches include low capital cost, rapid implementation, no marine piling, low over-water coverage, easy adaptation to site settlement and sea-level change, and easy decommissioning.The project was completed and ready for use eight months after award of contracts, and in-water work was completed in two days with the use of prefabricated structural and floating components. APEGBC members, Seabulk Inc.: Sid Sridhar, P.Eng.; Mark Mattila, P.Eng.; David Popoff, P.Eng.; Casper, Phillips & Associates: Richard Phillips, P.Eng.

Arctic Research Vessel Sikuliag Research vessel Sikuliaq is an icebreaker designed for oceanographic research in Alaskan waters, with the possibility of seasonal operations in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. It is owned by the US National Science Foundation and operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks. During the design, AKAC Inc. was the naval architect responsible for ensuring the vessel was capable of operating and conducting science missions in the Arctic ice.To meet its unique mission requirements, several unique design features were incorporated, including azimuth propulsion. AKAC Inc. prepared an ice operations manual for the vessel and conducted hands-on field training to help ensure the vessel is used to its maximum potential. Evan Martin, P.Eng. , was in charge of ice trials conducted to provide training to the crew, and to develop and verify operational procedures for conducting science operations in sea ice.

P hoto : E van M artin , P. E ng .

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