Nation’s first LNG-fueled OSV is also pretty comfortable

Harvey1

Perhaps lost in the prestige and interest generated by being the first LNG-fueled, Tier 4 offshore supply vessel in the United States with an ABS Enviro+ classification, is that Harvey Energy could easily garner a four- or five-star hotel rating. The 302-foot Harvey Energy is the first of six dual-fuel vessels constructed for Harvey Gulf International Marine at Gulf Coast Shipyard Group’s yard in Gulfport, Miss.

“The level of accommodation finishes and crew comfort on the Harvey Energy is at least on par with the previously more advanced European standards,” said Adam Rodgers, director of business development for Marine Interior Systems (MIS), a Covington, La., company that specializes in high-end vessel interior joinery and finishing.

The explanation for such a high level of comfort and aesthetics in a workboat is the intersection of two companies: Harvey Gulf, a company led by Chief Executive Shane Guidry that likes to set benchmarks, and Gulf Coast Shipyard Group, a company led by Chief Executive John Dane III that includes Trinity Yachts, a builder of luxury vessels. Harvey Gulf subsequently acquired the shipyard.

“The glass walls (partitioning the lounge from the galley) had to have a B15 rating,” said Rodgers. “We found one person in Finland who could supply them so we had to import them.”

Glass partitions on a workboat are not just an offering to the gods of aesthete, but a fitting visual transition from the sparkling stainless steel in the galley to the leather furnishing and teak-stained alder wood finishes in the lounge. The wood treatment is carried throughout the vessel’s bridge, staterooms and galley — wherever the finish is wood.

The 302-foot OSV, still at the shipyard before it was fitted with its mast and electronics antennae.

As for comfort and fire protection, the floating floors above the machinery deck are SOLAS- approved sound-dampening flooring, and all of the machinery is soft-mounted. The walls and ceilings are mineral wool sandwiched between metal sheets covered with a PVC finish treatment. There is satellite television in each bunk, and each stateroom has its own head.

But Capt. Jeff Serebrin credits the vessel’s diesel-electric system as the biggest reason for the quiet ride. “And the ride is excellent,” he said. “We got up to 13.8 knots on the endurance trials. Of course the best thing about this boat is it is classed Enviro+ and produces zero emissions and the low maintenance and the low cost of maintenance because of the clean burn.”

Harvey Energy and the second ship in the series, Harvey Power, are on charter to Royal Dutch Shell.

Wartsila provided complete diesel-electric propulsion systems for the vessels, including the 100-foot-long LNG tanks and operation and maintenance training.

The 10,100-bhp propulsion train consists of three Wartsila dual-fuel 6L34DF Tier 3/Tier 4 engines, three Wartsila main generators, two Wartsila azimuthing stern drives and two Wartsila main drive motors. There are two Wartsila 1,717-hp bow thrusters.

“It’s the first of its kind in the U.S,” said Todd Dufrene, Harvey Gulf’s on-site engineer. “So it is a big part of marine history.”

Harvey Energy’s superstructure and working deck.

One of the ship’s LNG tanks is serviced at the Gulfport yard.

   

The vessel prior to charter to Royal Dutch Shell.

The lounge offers leather furnishings and satellite TV.

   

The spacious captain’s quarters, above, and crew stateroom, right, benefit from wood treatments and sound dampening.

The crew stateroom.

 

By Professional Mariner Staff