Med Offshore recently ordered an AHTS 6615 of the Damen Offshore series. This is the second time Med Offshore orders an anchor handling tug supply vessel from Damen, following the AHTS 6114, Med Otto, which was delivered to Med Offshore in September 2006. Med Offshore the Italian shipping company owned by the Garolla Family operates a fleet supply boats and anchor handlers while the Holding company Sarda Bunkers operates a fleet of tankers for the transportation of bunkers and oil products. The newly ordered vessel will form part of the fleet renewal program which started with the acquisition of the AHTS 6114, Med Otto. She is designed and equipped for world wide services. The AHTS 6615 is one of the latest designs from the Damen Offshore Series. The Offshore Series include both AHTS and PSV type of vessels covering a bollard pull range from 80 to 160 ton (AHTS) and a deadweight range varying from 2000 to 4500 ton (PSV). The Med Offshore vessel will have the following main characteristics:
| Length o.a. |
66.95 m |
| Breadth |
15.00 m |
| Depth |
6.75 m |
| Draft design |
5.50 m |
| Speed approx |
15 knots |
| Bollard pull |
120 ton |
| Deadweight approx |
1800 ton |
| Working deck area |
Approx 400 m2 |
| Deck cargo |
Approx 750 ton |
The propulsion configuration consists of 2 MaK 8M32C engines of 4000 kW each, driving Rolls-Royce controllable pitch propellers in Damen Optima nozzles. Each gearbox will have a 1200 kW shaft alternator. The vessel is equipped with a Rolls-Royce Brattvaag waterfall winch, having a pull of 250 ton. The vessels will be classed by Bureau Veritas and will comply with the requirements of the Italian flag, and among other regulations, with the latest amendments to the IMO resolution A673(16), "Guidelines for the Transport and Handling of Limited amounts of Hazardous and Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk on Offshore Support Vessels" The notation includes FiFi-1 and DP-2. Ample tank capacity is available for fuel oil, potable water, ballast & drill water, dry bulk, liquid mud, brine and recovered oil. Accommodation is provided for 29 persons divided over single, double and quadruple cabins. Construction of the vessel will take place at Damen Shipyards Galati in and the delivery of the vessel is scheduled for 2009.
