GPA designs PSVs for Jackson Offshore

Under the contract, which also includes the option for two additional vessels, GPA will design customised vessels with optimised cargo capacity, improved fuel consumption and ease of maintenance. The ships will be built at BAE Systems’ yard in Jacksonville, Florida and are expected to enter into service in 2014.

The GPA 675J PSVs will feature GPA’s new series of hull forms that is claimed to providea more efficient hull compared to previous designs. A new bow design has been developed to allow for better sea keeping on any sea direction. It features GPA’s shaped bulb and forward sections, providing a more balanced bow that will enhance operation in head sea.

The 76m PSVs, which will operate in the Gulf of Mexico, will also include an integrated Rolls-Royce ship systems package inclusive of low voltage active front end diesel electric system and a complete propulsion package with Azipull propulsion thrusters.

GPA says it will locate the engine room on the main deck to allow for more cargo capacity and will add an extra deck of attenuation between the accommodations and the bow thrusters and cargo machinery, to improve crew comfort by reducing noise and vibration levels.

Lee Jackson, president and CEO, Jackson Offshore Operators, added: “The design has been well received as indicated by the long term contracts we have secured on the two new GPA 675J PSVs we are building with BAE.”