Dubai-based Seaways International took delivery of the first two in a series of three 32-knot fast crew boats from Damen Shipyards Singapore for operation in the West Africa offshore energy sector.
Seaways International director Kush Nijhawan said the company felt comfortable ordering the vessels from Damen, since they have worked with the shipbuilder before. The 22-m, aluminium-hull vessels were ordered in May 2018. “Not only was Damen able to deliver the vessels to us very quickly, they were able to customise their proven design exactly as we needed it.”
Based on a Damen Fast Crew Suppliers 2206 design, Seaways International’s new crew boats also incorporate firefighting capability, with a monitor located on the foredeck with a capacity of 600 m3 per hour and a throw length of 85 m, additional accommodation and crew facilities, business class seating, fuel monitoring and a full 3G wifi system.
The vessels, with capacity to transport up to 30 passengers and six crew, have Damen Sea Axe hulls for improved seakeeping and reduced fuel consumption at speeds of up to 30 knots. The hull, which looks like the head of a battle axe, was developed in collaboration with Delft University of Technology, the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Maritime Research Institute of the Netherlands and the US Coast Guard.
The two crew boats will be transported on a heavy-lift vessel to Luanda, Angola. The third vessel is currently under construction at Damen Shipyards Antalya in Turkey for delivery in July.
In addition to the new crew boats, Seaways International has a fleet of anchor handlers, tugs and barges to support its operations in West Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
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