Zierikzee-based Noordhoek Offshore recently took delivery of its new diving support vessel, the DP2 Noordhoek Constructor, from the Niigata Yard in Japan. Specifically designed for diving operations in the harsh North Sea environment, the new state-of-the-art vessel has an overall length of 76m with an 18m beam. It is equipped with a 12-man single bell saturation diving system and a self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboat.
Noordhoek Constructor has accommodation for 70 people and is designed primarily for saturation, air and TUP diving operations in water depths to 200m. However, with a clear deck space of 685m2, a 100t main crane and a dual light work and observation class ROV spread, Noordhoek also sees the newbuild finding worldwide deployment opportunities as a multi-role vessel.
Noordhoek was anticipating delivery of another subsea support vessel – its third – as OE went to press. Noordhoek Pathfinder, with accommodation for 40 people, will focus mainly on bathymetric and geophysical survey, cable/pipeline inspection and geotechnical projects, including in-house processing, analysis and reporting (OE April 2009). The vessel is also expected to be available for inshore, nearshore and offshore market construction and support activities, along with IRM work.