Successful sea trials for BMT-designed 27m crew transfer vessel
BMT’s latest 27m crew transfer vessel (CTV), designed for Njord Offshore, has successfully completed sea trials, reaching a top speed of 27 knots. Njord Zenith is the first of two 27m vessels built to a BMT design by Cheoy Lee Shipyards in China, the company said in its press release.
Jago Lawless, Technical Director at BMT explains: “We have a number of 26m CTV vessels operating that have been designed and built in accordance with Lloyd’s Register’s rules for Special Service Craft and the UK code for High Speed Offshore Service Craft. This 27m vessel however, is the first CTV designed by BMT that utilises a highly efficient Z-bow hull form. This hull form gives added waterline length resulting in excellent high-speed performance during transit, yet optimised zero-speed seakeeping performance, minimising the unwanted vertical buoyancy forces that may otherwise be experienced during push-up operations in head seas. Having a steady vessel during technician transfer is vital.”
To ensure the best performance can be achieved during these transfer operations, the vessel utilises the Active Fender System, exclusive to BMT and is propelled by quad Volvo IPS 900, offering excellent speed performance, high bollard pull and outstanding manoeuvrability.
Jago adds: “Njord Zenith is the largest, most versatile, multi-role CTV we have launched to date and is a step change with regards to both fuel and deadweight capacity.”
With a maximum fuel bunkering capacity of 52,000L or a combined cargo / fuel capacity deadweight of up to 50 tonnes, the vessel has the capacity to transport up to 24 offshore personnel and includes an innovative bridge design with full height front window for improved fore deck visibility, as well as docking whilst transporting containers.
Jago concludes: “Our prominent market position and strong order book reinforces our ability to offer superior technical solutions to the most demanding maritime situations within the fast-growing offshore energy market. Customers value our strengths in helping them to improve not only their seaborne operational performance, but the overall performance of their companies.”