Miljødronningen 1I  will be a Flying Cat 35, 33.9m long, 10.4m wide and able to carry 50 people. It will be ice-classed for operation in northern areas such as the Barents Sea, Svalbard and the North Sea and will boast a helicopter platform for the Eurocopter EC 120. The catamaran will be powered by twin 1,000 kW main engines of unspecified make capable of providing 25 knots.

GW said as far as possible it was choosing suppliers of environmentally sound, non-PVC materials and equipment, including alternative fuels, and inviting makers of ‘the most competent environmentally friendly technology’ to contact the organisation.

In addition to its main uses, Miljødronningen 11 will also be a floating showcase for alternative solutions on interior, fuel and material. To finance operation and costs it will be available on the spot market for charter to governmental bodies and private companies.

GW will conduct subsea environmental studies and collect samples using ROV technology in depths of 2000 to 3000 m. The vessel will also conduct climate research. The Eurocopter EC 120 will survey pollution and spearhead oil spill recovery operations.

GW said the construction of Miljødronningen opened ‘a new horizon’ and declared, somewhat optimistically perhaps, that ‘from now on no environmental offender will be able to feel comfortable or safe after polluting nature and the environment’.

By TOM TODD