DSV Featuring Thrustmaster Receives High Praise

Incat Crowther’s new Catamaran Dive Support Vessel (DSV), Bhagwan Dryden, is making waves in the DSV sector and has already received high praise throughout its initial operational feedback for its dynamic positioning operations in shallow, rough seas  since its launch and delivery earlier this year as reported by Incat.

The 187 ft (57 m) Bhagwan Dryden is the first catamaran dive support vessel with such a high level of integrated dive systems. The vessel has been designed from the keel up to perform six key roles; Dive Support, Geophysical Survey, Geotechnical Survey, Cargo Transport, Hyperbaric Rescue and Safety Standby.

The vessel can work in shallow waters, offering operational efficiencies at these depths and is fitted with an ROV, two built in decompression chambers and two Pommec launch and recovery systems, with the diving systems boasting a depth rating of 164 ft (50 m).

With such a varied array of operational roles, unique solutions were required not only in the allocation of spaces, but also with the specification of a flexible, high-redundancy propulsion system.

The result is an advanced propulsion and powering package that integrates a pair of Thrustmaster TH300MLRT 300 hp (220 kW) azimuthing retractable combi bow thrusters, azimuthing stern drives, and generators. Bhagwan Dryden is fitted with four generator sets (two Cummins QSK38-M’s and two QSK19-M’s), overseen by an advanced power management system that makes optimal use of the four generators and a battery bank to ensure each power source is used in the most effective way. The battery bank stores enough power to propel the ship for short periods, whilst the generators can be powered up in stages to minimize fuel burn. The system offers both excellent low-speed efficiency (7 knots requires just 25% power) and maneuverability and a laden speed of 11 knots.

The azimuthing stern drives combine with Thrustmaster’s TH300MLRT azimuthing retractable combi bow thrusters and a Kongsberg dynamic positioning control system to give the vessel DPS-2 maneuverability. The innovative system lends itself to shallow draft dive operations, Thrustmaster’s forward azimuthing thrusters are able to maintain operation as tunnel thrusters when retracted. Further positioning capability is provided by a Sonardyne Ranger 2 USBL acoustic positioning system, which allows the vessel to maintain station relative to undersea reference points.

Thrustmaster’s robust lineup of retractable bow thrusters with power ratings from 200 hp to 5000 hp (150 kW to 3,730 kW) inherit all the benefits of a typical bow thruster application such as docking, slow speed maneuvering, emergency steering and station keeping at zero or slow forward speed with the added ability of extending down past the bottom of the vessel to assist in controlled, azimuth propulsion. Retractable tunnel thrusters are easily installed transversely in the bow or the stern of a vessel and include a section of the vessel’s hull when in the retracted position. Retracting the tunnel thruster is as simple as clicking a single button that will cause the tunnel thruster to automatically correct its positioning before retracting back into the vessel.

The Bhagwan Dryden was developed in conjunction with Bhagwan Marine and built by Keppel Singmarine, Bhagwan Dryden.

In addition, Bhagwan Dryden is fitted with a 100-tonne, four-point mooring system featuring four deck winches and diagonally-oriented fairleads on all four corners of the vessel.

The aft main deck’s 160m2 of cargo space, rated at 10t/m2, is supplemented by a multitude of purpose-fitted deck equipment, including launch and recovery systems, stern roller, shark jaw, tow pins, A-Frame, waterfall winches and container securing lugs.

Accommodation cabins for a complement of 44 are situated in the hull and the mid deck. The hull also houses laundry facilities and a gymnasium. The mid-deck features an aft-facing survey room, which is linked to the wheelhouse by wireways, allowing operational flexibility.

The wheelhouse features complete all-round visibility, including aft-facing DP control stations.

The main deck of the vessel houses service spaces including an ROV control room and three workshops; as well as crew spaces such as a change room, cinema, dining mess and lounges and a commercial standard galley adjacent to dry and cold food storage spaces.