Bourbon Evolution 800 IMR Vessels

The third vessel in the series, Bourbon Evolution 803 was delivered in January 2013, Image courtesy of Bourbon.

The Bourbon Evolution 800 series vessels are capable of carrying out fire fighting operations, Image courtesy of Bourbon.

The construction contract for Bourbon Evolution 800 series vessels has been awarded to Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group's Zhejiang Shipyard, Image courtesy of Bourbon.

The vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art communication equipment, Image courtesy of Bourbon.

MacGregor Cargotec and SMST are supplying the two main cranes for each Bourbon Evolution 800 vessel, Image courtesy of Bourbon.

Bourbon Evolution 800 is a series of ten inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) vessels being constructed by Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group. The deliveries of the ten IMR vessels are expected to be completed by 2014. The first three vessels in the series, Ungundja, Bourbon Evolution 802 and Bourbon Evolution 803 were delivered in 2011, September 2012 and January 2013 respectively.

The first vessel Ungundja currently serves Total E&P Angola in its offshore operations in Angola. The second vessel, Bourbon Evolution 802 operates in the coast of Nigeria and the third vessel, Bourbon Evolution 803 will be involved in offshore operations in Malaysia.

The design works for the series were carried out by Guido Perla & Associates and the construction contract was awarded to Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group’s Zhejiang Shipyard.

The vessels are designed to cut operational costs by 20% and are capable of operating safely at water depths of 2,500m to 3,000m. They are equipped with the DP3 dynamic positioning system and can undertake rescue, fire-fighting and antipollution operations.

Design of Bourbon Evolution 800

Each of the Bourbon Evolution 800 series vessels measures 100.2m in length and has a moulded breadth of 21m. The depth to the main deck is 8m and the maximum draft is 6m. The deck area of the vessel is 940m^², while the mezzanine deck area is 230m².

Bourbon Revolution 800 has a gross registered tonnage capacity of 6,000t, a deadweight capacity of 4,858t at maximum draft, and a deck cargo capacity of 1,300t ro 2,000ft. The vessel is also equipped with two engine rooms and two electrical rooms.

Each vessel is equipped with a helideck measuring 20m in diameter to accommodate the Super Puma AS332L2/EC225 helicopter.

Storage capacity

The vessels in the Bourbon Evolution 800 series are equipped with stainless steel tanks below deck with a storage capacity of 1,096m³ of fuel oil, 2,508m³ of ballast water, 946m³ of fresh water, 750m³ of antiheeling, 374m³ of methanol, 300m³ of oil recovery, 152m³ of gray water, 39m³ of sewage, 28m³ of waste oil, 5m³ of dispersant, and 1.8m³ of foam.

Winches and crane facilities

Each of the vessels in the Bourbon Evolution 800 series is equipped with one tugger winch with a lifting capacity of 15t and two capstans with a lifting capacity of 10t each. The vessels are equipped with a main knuckle boom crane supplied by MacGregor Cargotec. SMST supplied another main knuckle boom crane with a lifting capacity of 40t at a maximum outreach of 9.5m.

The main winch of the main crane supplied by MacGregor Cargotec has a lifting capacity of 150t at an outreach of 2,500m, while its auxiliary winch has a lifting capacity of 20t at an outreach of 2,500m. The main winch of the crane supplied by SMST has a lifting capacity of 40t at an outreach of 2,500m.

Accommodation aboard

The Bourbon Evolution 800 vessels provide accommodation for 105 people in fully air-conditioned 33 one-man cabins and 36 two-man cabins. The vessels have the flexibility of adopting a floating hotel configuration and accommodating up to 240 people. Other accommodation facilities onboard include four offices, one hospital, one mess room, one laundry room, two workshop rooms, and one galley.

Communication and safety equipments

Communication systems on the vessel include two Inmarsat SatC systems, two VSAT Ku band communication systems, video network, telephone and video connection in all cabins. The operations are carried out from a centralised client bridge.

The vessels in the series are given a Fi-Fi (fire fighting) class notation and are thus equipped with two monitors with a combined discharge rate of 2,400m^³ per hour and two pumps with a combined discharge rate of 2,400m³ per hour.

The vessels are also equipped with one Mare Safety GRP600 rescue boat each which has a capacity for 150 people.

Propulsion system

The Bourbon Evolution 800 IMR vessels are equipped with three main stern azimuth thrusters with a rated capacity of 1,686kW each. Propulsion is provided by six main diesel generators with a rated capacity of 1,235kW each and an auxiliary diesel generator with a rated capacity of 1,235kW.

The vessels are also equipped with an emergency generator with a power output of 450kW, two tunnel thrusters with a rated capacity of 843kW each and one retractable thruster with a rated capacity of 843kW.

The propulsion system enables the vessels to sail at a maximum speed of 12kt and a service speed of 10kt.