Major survey vessel refurbishment contract for Falmouth

The Föhn, built in Norway in 1983 and with a gross registered tonnage of 4,027, is now owned by Gardline Geosciences, a subsidiary of Gardline Shipping Ltd, and will be renamed Ocean Discovery once the conversion is complete.

Ocean Discovery will be used to conduct geotechnical investigations of the seabed, including core sample and bore holes to support the deployment of offshore renewable energy technologies, including wind turbines.

The shipyard will be equipping the vessel with updated resources, in addition to a full refit and accommodation upgrade. The contract includes the complicated procedure of fitting a 3.5m square moonpool which is being prefabricated by the yard together with a twin tower drilling derrick.

The vessel will be fitted with a four-point mooring system to be used in addition to the DP system being installed in the vessel. There will also be an ‘A’ frame installed on the transom for the deployment of seabed survey equipment.

The docking work was scheduled for completion by the end of May and Ocean Discovery is due to undergo its commissioning and trial programme in early June.