Pioneering Design

First of class "Norman Pioneer", a UT 742 type offshore vessel designed by Ulstein Ship Technology working closely with the owner Solstad Rederi was delivered by Ulstein Verft during February. It is extremely powerful multifunctional offshore support vessel capable of trenching, laying flexible pipe, other sub sea construction, anchor handling, long tows, handling ROV operations, heavy lift operations using the A-frame and many other tasks. The UT 742 represents a formidable range of capabilities in a 95m long and 24m wide vessel with 27,800 hp propulsion power.

The yard has followed the principle of early outfitting and has built large machinery and pipework modules to be installed early in the construction phase while the access is good. Two of the machinery and piping modules, in which all the steel and electrical work and painting were complete, extend through two decks and weigh 21 tonnes. The vessel had a high launch weight, so to reduce the load on the slipway during the launching, mounting the upper superstructure deck and wheelhouse had to wait until the ship was alongside the outfitting quay. In the meantime, the superstructure and wheelhouse were fitted out with about 25 tonnes of steel, cabling and insulation.
More information: Fairplay Solutions April 1999.