The new 90m loa, Type P103, Normand Mermaid has a moulded breadth of 20.5m and is also physically partitioned for operation under extreme emergency conditions, like a fire on board or water in the engine room. Her areas of operation include the installation, operation and maintenance of sea-floor installations and she is also arranged for oil recovery according to NOFA 2000 recommendations.

The vessel, of 4950 dwt at maximum 7m draught, is equipped with hangars on each side for ROVs, a 100 ton crane for ROV operations through a moonpool, a helicopter deck and accommodation for 69 persons. It has a cargo deck area of 1,000 sq m and can load up to 2,500 tons.

The diesel-electric propulsion plant developing about 15 knots consists of four main gensets, each of 1990kW, two main azimuth thrusters each of about 3000kW, two bow thrusters of about 1200kW and a swing-up thruster, also of about 1200kW.

Great emphasis has been placed on low fuel consumption and low noise levels, said Ulstein.

Normand Mermaid is DNV classified Supply Vessel, SF, OILREC, EO, ICE C, DYN POS AUTR, DK (+), HL (+).

The Norwegian yard has just signed a new contract with Solstad Offshore AS for an Ulstein A101 anchor handling tug/supply vessel - the 14th ship built there for that company.

It is for delivery in March next year and the contract is worth about NOK 350 million, Ulstein reported.

MJ Information No: 17308