(713) 789-1840
SWATH
An impressive combination of speed and comfort, the versatile SWATH
Small Water Area, Twin Hull) vessel is characterized by twin submersible
hulls, which provide about 80% of the vessel's displacement. This unique design creates the steadiness and ride of a much larger vessel, while maintaining a high percentage of its cruising speed in rough seas.
The two submerged hulls support the main deck and substructure by employing one or two slender struts per side. These struts are normally the only part of the vessel piercing the water surface, therefore minimizing the effect of the waves on the vessel's motions and the forward speed of the ship.
The SWATH, in addition to operation as a crew or passenger transport, may also function as a pilot boat, a dinner/cruise boat, a gambling boat, a diving/work support vessel or an ocean research vessel.
SWATH Work Platform
Type of Vessel: Ultra-Deepwater,
Construction and Well Intervention SWATH
Type of Project: Engineering and Design
Services - concept through contract design
Client: Cal Dive International
Description of Project:
ACMA was contracted by SDP/McClure to develop the contract design for the Q4000 SWATH. ACMA had previously developed the preliminary design under contract to SDP. The contract design was developed specifically for Cal Dive International (CDI) to perform construction and well intervention tasks in deep water down to 10,000 feet. The vessel represents a new generation prototype design for multi-role field development projects in deepwater basins around the world.
The ACMA team was responsible for global structure analysis, motion predictions, auxiliary systems and detailed weight calculations. ACMA engineers were also responsible for stability, resistance and powering, and preliminary layouts for this revolutionary vessel with a unique column-stabilized design that combines dynamically positioned station-keeping with large deck space (15,000 square feet), significant deck load capacity (3,400 tons) and high transit speed (12 knots).
The methodical design approach, state-of-the-art materials, equipment and systems together with innovative building techniques are the basis on which this unique vessel was developed. Close attention was paid to redundancy, safety, habitability and sea-keeping qualities. This philosophy achieves maximum efficiency and reduces building costs, allowing more competitive day rates. The design objective was to create a new class of support vessel which would outperform all other multi-service vessels.
Click here to see the SWATH in action.
SWATH Crewboat
Type of Vessel: Aluminum SWATH Crewboat,
250 passenger
Type of Project: Concept through Detailed
Design and Fabrication Assistance
Client: Trico Marine Operators, Inc.
Description of Project:
This project began as a conceptual design for a bid response to Petrobras. Petrobras' goal was to phase out offshore crew transport via costly helicopters and rough riding conventional crewboats with smooth riding SWATH ships. The Petrobras bid package had many stringent requirements ranging from economics to ergonomics.
The economic requirements included a monthly average speed of 25 knots at less than 90% MCR and the prediction of the fuel consumption. The ergonomic requirements were defined to limit the incidence of seasickness to less than 5% in 4 hours exposure in the 2- to 3-meter seas so common to the Campos Basin where the vessel would operate. They also required comfortable seating, ample leg room and a HVAC system with a relatively high rate of air exchange.
ACMA was given the complete vessel design responsibility by Trico Marine. The concept design went through several major revisions in response to the final Petrobras bid package, including the propulsion plant. ACMA provided resistance and motion performance predictions over a speed range of 0-30 knots. A cost-effective design, which included implications from a builder's perspective, was the end result of the design process. Extensive model testing was carried out under the direct supervision of ACMA with Petrobras in attendance. Upon Trico's award of the contract, ACMA commenced with detailed design.
The final design presented a number of challenges, while incorporating many high tech features, such as a gas turbine coupled to controllable pitch propellers via a 27:1 reduction gear and an active fin system. ACMA was responsible for all aspects of the design, including hydrodynamics, propulsion, global and local FEA structure analysis, auxiliary systems, safety systems, purchase specifications for all major equipment, and interfacing with class and regulatory bodies (ABS & USCG). The detailed design was carried out concurrently with construction due to the short delivery schedule. ACMA participated in the construction process as the owner's representative.