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SHIP CONVERSIONSof the Edda Fide in 2011, capable of handlingover 600 men offshore and stationkeeping capabilitypowered with five Voith propellers of12,500 kW and two 1450 kW bow thrustersforward. Highclere Ltd, the new owners of theBluefort, has recently completed continuedconversion upgrades to their 141 meter, 450man vessel in Naples, Italy with the help ofAlternative Marine Technologies (Amtech).Kongsberg Maritime attended to make recommendationsto improve the vessel’s DP Plot.U.S. Outfitters of Jacksonville, Florida attendedto renew and upgrade 70 plus cabins andRolls Royce and MAN attended for continuedoverhauls and repairs to the thruster and propulsionengines.Up NextThe next generation Offshore AccommodationVessel (OAV) with examples designed bySalt Ship Design, are 155 meters long and willhave a total accommodation capacity exceeding800 persons, all housed in one or two mancabins. The vessel standard now requires a livingspace of “executive standard” and includesoffice space as well as recreation areas, suchas a modern gym, sauna, two swimming pools,conference rooms and an auditorium. Existingvessels will likely need to continue to upgradetheir conversions to meet or exceed these standards.These vessels will provide constructionsupport and additional living quarters for supportpersonnel during commissioning, maintenanceand decommissioning of offshore installationsworldwide and are now being designedfor operating in the Arctic.In a case where the market defined the demand,vessel conversions are meeting thegrowing needs of a burgeoning offshore market.And this can include a variety of requirements.In the United States, for example, notone offshore wind farm – in stark contrast tothe dozens in and around Europe – has yet tobe constructed. That said, when the first onedoes go into construction, the speedy completionof the project will be paramount. Thatmight mean the need to keep labor on sitefor extended periods of time. Regardless ofthe reason for an offshore labor presence, theday of the OAV has arrived. Converted or fitfor purpose, the advantages are many and thedrawbacks, few.Bridge deck modified to comply with ECDIS and DP2 stationkeeping.Rolls Royce thrusters; Kongsberg controls.42 | Maritime Professional | 4Q 2013