Geowave Master. Cable-laying ship GEOMASTER converted into a seismic exploration vessel "GEOWAVE MASTER"

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Geowave Master. Cable-laying ship GEOMASTER converted into a seismic exploration vessel "GEOWAVE MASTER""

Julian Goodwin
5 years ago
Views:

1 Cable-laying ship GEOMASTER converted into a seismic exploration vessel "GEOWAVE MASTER" Geowave Master

main deck to the water line, was built at this frame.

2 GEOWAVE MASTER CONVERSION. SCOPE OF WORKS Removal of Existing Structures The aft was cut at frame 18, eliminating the typical curved stern shape of cable-layer ships; afterwards, a stainless steel ramp, which extends from the main deck to the water line, was built at this frame. Interior scrapping of all the accommodation, which involved structural bulkheads; this means that, while scrapping, additional pillars and various steel elements to prevent collapsing were mounted to compensate. The existing hangar on the main deck was partially removed from the aft to the frame 73, where a new transversal bulkhead was built up to limit the new accommodation from the aft in order to mount the seismic systems rack room, data processing, multiple offices for staff and a gymnasium. Both telescopic cranes located on the main deck were removed, one of which was modified to be reused in the new ship. The A-frame was also removed from the place of the current hangar on the main deck. In January 2007, the cable-layer ship GEOMASTER arrived at ASTANDER facilities. After six months of work, she was delivered to owners on August the 3rd, converted into a seismic ship, equipped with the state of the art technology and re-baptized as "GEOWAVE MASTER". The ship, property of the Norwegian owner GEOSHIPPING, now provides her services to another company also Norwegian, specialized in marine geophysics, WAVEFIELD-INSEIS; this company contracted ASTANDER last January for the conversion of the ship. All the elements and machinery for cable laying were removed from the ship; the cable-laying A-frame at the aft was removed including its hydraulic plant and all the hydraulic pipes that operates these systems. Under the main deck, the existing coamings around the 4 cable holds were removed, as well as the 4 coils in each one of the holds. These 4 holds were covered at the height of the second deck (under the main deck) forming a continuous deck that will be used to install a large range of new equipment. The process was performed from the bridge to the lowest deck, taking measurements at critical points in order to control the scrapping. The lights masts, stairs, platforms, etc. were also scrapped. The aft manoeuvre equipment, as well as docking elements were removed to be later on reused in the new distribution. Hundreds of elements and equipment were removed, existing both inside and on deck; many of these elements were later repositioned. Steel Works: Prefabrication of blocks and assembly of new structures and reinforcements Installation of the following structures with a total weight added to the ship around 950 tonnes: The aft was modified removing the typical curved shape of cabling ships and a stainless steel ramp was built to launch and collect seismic equipment. The superstructure was extended towards the aft and new rooms were installed such as the seismic equipment instrumentation and control room, to be fitted out later.

The fore hold was converted into a new machine room to fit three compressors and a new hydraulic unit for the seismic plant, switchboards, etc.

air conditioning system; two of the large air conditioning units for the accommodation; a new septic plant; an inverse osmosis fresh water generator plant, a lathe machine, frequency converters and

Also hangars to host the seismic equipment were built, in addition to other spaces, holds, workshops and the transition area between accommodation and the work area.

3 The fore hold was converted into a new machine room to fit three compressors and a new hydraulic unit for the seismic plant, switchboards, etc. A transversal bulkhead was mounted above these two holds, on the second deck (under the main deck), dividing this deck into two parts to host new machinery such as chilled water compressors for the air conditioning system; two of the large air conditioning units for the accommodation; a new septic plant; an inverse osmosis fresh water generator plant, a lathe machine, frequency converters and transformers for the new compressors; fans, compressed air bottles for the seismic system, etc. New decks were added aft from the superstructure and until the end of the ship. Also hangars to host the seismic equipment were built, in addition to other spaces, holds, workshops and the transition area between accommodation and the work area. Six new tanks for compressors oil, used oil, machinery oil, kerosene and hydraulic system oil were placed on this deck with their corresponding pumps and pipes to service the new equipment. The seismic machinery was positioned in two different decks inside the new hangars. The upper parts of the old cable storage holds were cut at the height of second deck and watertight at the same level as the new deck structure. The bow cable tank was divided with longitudinal bulkheads to create the new tanks for fuel, providing the ship additional autonomy. The existing decks were reinforced. The intermediate deck A was extended to the aft in order to create a new space to mount 2 air conditioning units, compressors for new refrigerated rooms, as well as an 800,000 kcal incinerator. In this area, from the main deck, a structural trunk was built on the starboard side, with the new service elevator that operates from this deck to the top deck, just under the heliport. Modification of the aft manoeuvre system in order to avoid interferences with the seismic equipment. Installation of the octagonal aluminium 20.5 x 20.5 m heliport over the hangar, located aft from the accommodation superstructure, as well as its fire fighting systems, scuppers, electrical installation and lights, etc. It has been designed for a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter. Installation of 4 hydraulic hatches in various decks to provide easy access for spare parts and work equipment, from the top deck to the new seismic compressor machine room. A new double bottom was built in lower part of the hold with a height of 2m to store 1,200 tonnes of permanent ballast, consisting of steel balls and concrete, to compensate the increase of weight in the higher parts of the ship due to the seismic machinery and new steel structure. Installation of 2 new 10 tons cranes and relocation of the existing one. Installation of 2 new davits for rescue boats and connection to the new hydraulic power unit.

New Accomodation 60 new individual cabins were built, including new officer's and crew's rooms, gymnasium, galley, dining room and refrigerated rooms, all with the highest quality standards required

The refurbishing of this area, about 3,000 m 2, was performed using highly demanding comfort, noise and vibration criteria, so that it was all mounted without direct contact to the ship's structure,

4 New Accomodation 60 new individual cabins were built, including new officer's and crew's rooms, gymnasium, galley, dining room and refrigerated rooms, all with the highest quality standards required by Norwegian regulations. The refurbishing of this area, about 3,000 m 2, was performed using highly demanding comfort, noise and vibration criteria, so that it was all mounted without direct contact to the ship's structure, installing floating floors that are highly resilient to the structural transmission of noise, self-supporting ceilings, dividing bulkheads and linings installed with silent-blocks, etc. The thermal conditioning installed complies with requirements specific to passenger ships and extreme environmental conditions between -20ºC and +40ºC. The ship now has 40 new individual cabins with bathroom in about 12m 2 for crew and technicians, and another 20 for officers and heads of the expedition that vary between 24 and 30 m 2. Piping in accomodation was executed mainly with the help of the company SAJA INDINA, which executed the hot and cold water piping as well as piping for grey and black waters, connected to a new septic plant. New accommodation built: Deck D: Navigation bridge. Deck C: 11 cabins for officers with office and 3 individual cabins (all of them with their corresponding modular bathrooms), hospital, laundry, meeting room, common restrooms, clothes store room, bosun store, corridors, deck store room and stair trunks. Deck B: 26 individual cabins with their modular bathroom, corridors and store room. Deck A: Dining room, living rooms for crew and scientists, galley, pantry, dry and cold refrigerated rooms, common restroom and corridors. For the air conditioning and ventilation plant, ASTANDER worked with one of its regular subcontractors, FRIZONIA. The system consists of rotating enthalpic exchange units, and was installed not only in living areas but also in machine control, propulsion room, etc. The system uses chilled water, provided by two independent compressor units, located in the new space destined for diverse machinery under the main deck. The electrical installation in accommodation was carried out by the company PINE Instalaciones y Montajes. Special care is required in these works when connecting old services to the new, and this creates an added difficulty for installers, which sometimes face real puzzles to successfully complete their tasks. Specialized Seismic Equipment and Machinery The level of features match those of the most modern ships delivered between 2006 and 2008; with great capacity to handle prospecting equipment and especially the ability to handle twelve lines of streamers (sensors) and eight lines of acoustic sources (guns) without interferences. The dockyard carried out the installation and testing of the following new equipment: Upper deck: 20 individual cabins with their modular bathrooms, gymnasium, laundry, offices and instrument rooms, changing room and workshop store. 2nd deck: Engine control room. The design and execution of all new accommodation was executed with the collaboration of the company OLIVER DESIGN, which redesigned and decorated not only the accommodation but also the data processing rooms, technical offices, etc. Eight gun winches, which extend lines equipped with nozzles (guns) that project air at a pressure of 135 bar. The winches include a modern radio frequency system to remote control, which allows their operation from different points on board in order to monitor the behaviour of the towing lines. In addition, it was necessary to mount the corresponding foundation and reinforce the deck structure. 12 simple streamer winches, together with their corresponding foundations and reinforcing. 12 towing points for the streamer lines, in addition to a large number of winches and auxiliary hydraulic machinery that support the specific functions for the seismic prospecting tasks.

3,300 volts are used for the propulsion, bow thruster motors and general service supply through two transformers for the 440V systems.

5 Streamer guiding system. A door or barovane system was used, which are platforms that lower over the sides to avoid these sensors from tangling. The small increase in resistance they represent are offset with the use of streamer lines filled with kerosene, which provide greater floatability and are of less diameter than the rigid lines. 3,300 volts are used for the propulsion, bow thruster motors and general service supply through two transformers for the 440V systems. 440 volts are used for general ship services, and also used to power the main cable laying switchboard. New hydraulic system for operating the winches of the seismic unit, with a working pressure of 250 bar and a flow of 5x475 l/min delivered by five pumps operated by 230 kw motors. The hydraulic lines are made of stainless steel quality 316, with unions Din and wallform compound. Once installed, a flushing of the installation was carried out. The entire installation of the complex hydraulic network for operating all these machines and compressed air was also made in cooperation with the specialized company PINE. High pressure air system: Three 175 bar air compressors, for firing the gun winches where placed at the bottom of the aft cable hold, transformed into a machine room with all bilge services, chilling water systems, oil lines, kerosene, etc. 220 Volts were used for the former cable laying system 100 Volts were used for lighting, sockets and small consumers for general services; this system was totally replaced for 220V after transformation. The entire previous distribution was modified to adapt it to new demands of the new ship. The new electrical installation of the ship was also carried out with the company PINE Instalaciones y Montajes. These activities were of great complexity because they involved the majority of services of the ship, from machinery to the navigation bridge. In addition to the above, the following new systems were installed: Electrical Installation The installation of important new equipment on board, together with the existing equipment, and the concept of power supply redundancy, made it necessary to redesign the power supply system. It is a special installation that optimizes the use of existing electrical systems and switchboards, although logically having introduced multiple readjustments and modifications. This criteria has determined certain design conditions that can be used as the basis for reconverting existing power plants seeking to improve safety through redundancy in the entire power system. The existing installation includes 4 voltage levels: 3.300V, 440V, 220V and 100V. The ship has the following generating sets: Primary generators: 4 x 3625 KVA / 3300V 60 Hz Port generator: 1 x KVA / 450V 60 Hz Emergency generator: 1 x 150 KVA / 450V 60Hz On board computer network, category CAT 7 Telephone and communication systems, which include: PABX PA INTERCOM LOUDHAILING Complete radio and TV system Closed camera TV system New navigation and radio equipment: 2 new ARPA radars New DGPS Automatic pilot 3 gyroscopic digital repeaters 1 echo-sounding 3 soundings of 12Khz / 38Khz / 200Khz for seismic works 1 ADCP (acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) S-VDR (Simplified Voyage Data Recorder) ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display Information System) Complete radio system Satellites Antennas for communication and seismic purposes Navigation lights

Other Systems New foam-based FF system on the streamers deck to cover the entire area exposed to kerosene. New sea-water FF system for the entire ship.

6 Other Systems New foam-based FF system on the streamers deck to cover the entire area exposed to kerosene. New sea-water FF system for the entire ship. Installation of new scupper network throughout the ship. Installation of new fuel transfer lines, venting, tank soundings, filling and bunker, associated to the new tanks built. New installation of two high pressure water systems for cleaning and washing down, with lines in all hangars. New installation of oxygen / acetylene lines, with service to machines and all new workshops in the new hangars. New service air installation throughout the ship. New installation of kerosene supply and service lines for the streamers. New lubricant oil lines for all hydraulic machinery associated to seismic services. New cooling system (including sea chests) for seismic compressors, hydraulic unit and frequency converters. Installation of new fuel line for rescue boats. Installation of 2 new cranes and one reused from the original ship. Installation of two new davits and rescue boats. Installation of 6 new life rafts. Installation and supply of a new bilge separator. Installation and supply of an 800,000 kcal incinerator. Installation and supply of a new septic plant. Installation and supply of a new reverse osmosis plant. Installation and supply of a service elevator. GEOMASTER

7 GEOWAVE MASTER

8 Other Conversion Projects completed by ASTANDER Year Ship Name Company Country Ship Classification 2007 GEOWAVE MASTER WAVEFIELD INSEIS NORWAY Seismic ship Cable layer into 3D seismic vessel LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA ACCIONA TRASMEDITERRANEA SPAIN Pass/RoRo Garage RoRo cargo space converted into additional accomodation space 2006 SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE ACCIONA TRASMEDITERRANEA SPAIN Pass/RoRo Garage RoRo cargo space converted into additional accomodation space 2005 CALAMITY JANE (ex PROVIDER I) ALLSEAS Engineering NETHERLANDS Trenching support ship Pipe layer into trenching support vessel 2003 CSO DEEP PIONEER TECHNIP UK U.K. Multipurp. subsea installation ship Installation of 2 ROV L&R equipments with moonpool and sliding door, new generator room (3 generators), additional accomodation block 2002 WAVE SENTINEL GLOBAL MARINE SYSTEMS U.K. Cable ship Installation of new heeling tank,new foundations and new ROV equipment 2001 SUPERFAST CANARIAS TRASMEDITERRANEA SPAIN RoRo Construction/installation of additional RoRo upper deck SUPERFAST ANDALUCIA TRASMEDITERRANEA SPAIN RoRo Construction/installation of additional RoRo upper deck 1997 GEOFJORD GEOSHIPPING NORWAY Research ship Lengthening and conversion from supply ship into a subsea topographic research/supply/tug ship 1996 PONTA SAO LOURENÇO TRANSINSULAR PORTUGAL Cement carrier Containership into self-unloading cement carrier HYDROGAS III NORSK HYDRO NORWAY CO2 carrier Containership into an IMO type III gas carrier for transportation of liquified CO DANA MAXIMA DFDS DENMARK RoRo Lengthening, installation of new hoistable, fixed amd stern ramps, raising of forecastel deck, installation of new bow thruster elec motors 1994 TRANSFENNIA SEATRANS NORWAY Paper pallet carrier Construction of new 500 sqm garaga served by newly installed side door and lift ECUADORIAN REEFER KVAERNER Shipping NORWAY Reefer ship Modifications in cargo holds to accomodate 2.2 metre high pallets CANADIAN REEFER KVAERNER Shipping NORWAY Reefer ship Modifications in cargo holds to accomodate 2.2 metre high pallets 1992 HYDROGAS II NORSK HYDRO NORWAY CO2 carrier Containership into an IMO type III gas carrier for transportation of liquified CO CIUDAD DE ZARAGOZA TRASMEDITERRANEA SPAIN RoRo/Ferry Opening of hull and installation of bow helm and forward ramp/door, replacement of car decks, installation of 4 new side doors CIUDAD DE CEUTA TRASMEDITERRANEA SPAIN RoRo/Ferry Opening of hull and installation of bow helm and forward ramp/door, replacement of car decks, installation of 4 new side doors Astilleros de Santander, S.A. Fernández Hontoria, El Astillero Santander (Cantabria) - Spain Tel.: Fax: E.mail: comercial@astander.es

experience and capacity

conversions experience and capacity A professional team, with strict management procedures to coordinate all the human and material resources, and willing to fulfil any requirement, along with the most