Bourbon Front PSV to Operate in North Sea

Bourbon Front, a BOURBON last-generation Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), has left Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group’s Zhejiang shipyard, in China.

“ The Bourbon Front is the first vessel of a new BOURBON series of 4, with the Bourbon Clear, the Bourbon Calm and the Bourbon Rainbow” declares Christian Lefèvre, CEO of BOURBON. “ This series, as all our series, emphasizes BOURBON’s focus on client satisfaction through safety, cost efficiency, reliability and competencies “.

The Bourbon Front will first operate in the North Sea, and will be managed by Bourbon Offshore Norway. Designed by Ulstein Design AS, in cooperation with Bourbon Offshore Norway, the series is recognized as a large PSV among BOURBON’s fleet.

The Bourbon Front’s strength lies in the integration of numerous innovative technologies. Four key features highlight this vessel as a last-generation PSV:

 MACS® system

Developed with Per Gjerdrum AS, the Multi Application Cargo Solution allows for maximum cargo flexibility through the use of combination tanks working for different types of cargo such as drill cutting, dry bulk, synthetic fluids, fuel oils and oil recovery. In addition, the vessel is provided with 12 cargo tanks, each with a deep well pump, whereby maximum number of cargo grades can be carried concurrently.

By allowing one tank to be used for multiple cargos, the MACS system also improves storage capacity versus conventional offshore vessel design solutions. The Bourbon Front is BOURBON’s first vessel to be equipped with the MACS system.

Mecmar wet exhaust system

Engine exhausts of the series are positioned just above the water line. This design choice, which allows to clear the vessel from funnels, provides a near 360° panoramic view from the bridge maneuver positions. Furthermore, it provides more quiet and more comfortable accommodations. The Bourbon Front is BOURBON’s first supply vessel to be equipped with Mecmar wet exhaust system.

X-Bow™

The series will use a hull with inverted bow. Used currently on the Bourbon Orca, Bourbon Mistral and Bourbon Monsoon, Ulstein X-Bow™ allows a vessel to cut efficiently through the waves to decrease pitching and interior noise and vibrations.

Diesel-electric propulsion

As every new BOURBON supply vessel, the series is equipped with diesel-electric propulsion. By lowering fuel consumption, this system ensures efficient operational cost reduction.

Regarding technical specifications, Bourbon Front’s gross cargo deck area is 1 017 m². The vessel is equipped with dynamic positioning class 2 and can hold 8 MACS tanks and 12 LFL and Product tanks.

Her deadweight is 4 250 mt, with a length of 88,90 m and a breadth of 19 m. Accommodations are made for 25 persons.

This series of PSV is equipped with FiFi class 1, with the manifolds fitted on the stern.

By integrating numerous innovative technologies in one series of vessels, BOURBON strengthens its positioning as a forerunner capitalizing on efficient series-built vessels.

[mappress]

Source: Bourbon , September,28.  2011; Image:  Ulstein Group