Offshore support vessel: a guided tour!
Diesel-electric propulsion, class 2 dynamic positioning, 30% more cargo capacity than traditional vessels... PSV and AHTS vessels in the 91¿´Æ¬Íø Liberty series all feature genuine operational versatility, for both continental offshore and deep offshore applications. Guided tour of an AHTS 91¿´Æ¬Íø Liberty Series 200 vessel specialized in anchor handling and towing operations.
1/ Bow fender: Used to push another vessel and to absorb impacts.
2/ Bow maneuvering deck – with windlass: used for anchor handling at the port and at anchor, and for mooring.
3/ Navigation lights: used to indicate the type of vessel and which operation and type of maneuver is underway.
4/ Water cannon: pumps seawater and sprays it at 200 m/minute in order to extinguish fires on vessels and offshore facilities.
4 bis/ bow nozzles: produce mist that prevents the vessel from heating and facilitates the approach in fire-fighting situations.
stern nozzles: used to protect the vessel if a fire breaks out astern. There are 2 pumps below as well as 2 cannons.
5/ VSAT: satellite antenna for telephone, e-mail and data reception.
6/ Bridge: command post, largely glazed, it generally offers a 360° view of the outside environment.
7/ Store crane: used to load goods during supply operations.
8/ Winch: 2 reels for a) anchor handling operations b) towing. Source of power to carry out these operations.
9/ Tugger winch: horizontal reels used to move equipment during towing and anchor handling operations.
10/ Cable stop: safety feature, prevents towlines from deviating too far from the required angle of pull during towing operations.
11/ Steel-reinforced deck: steel allows the anchor to slide during anchor handling operations, as opposed to wood which is a non-slip surface.
12/ Wooden deck: for the storage of goods, the wooden surface prevents the risk of slipping.
13/ Shark jaw: hydraulic jaws that enclose the towline. They work as a blocking system.
Towing pins, removable cylinders used to position the towline or anchor chain further back. Towing pins define the zones where the towline passes, for additional safety.
14/ Roller: used to move the various cables astern, in order to facilitate towing and anchor handling operations.
15/ Capstan: a vertical reel that provides additional power for anchorage and anchor handling.
