HARVEY GULF INTERNATIONAL MARINE, INC. Receives Highest Level of Classification by ABS and USCG

Harvey Gulf International Marine, Inc. is proud to advise that our new 280’ OSV M/V HARVEY SPIRIT and 265’ Multi-Purpose Dive Support OSV are the first in a series of highly advanced, ultra modern, DP-2 vessels with high cargo and transfer capacities and are the first vessels operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico that are “ACP-ACCU” DP-2, Circle E certified.

This “ACP-ACCU” certification on our vessel offers a much higher level of:

•Automation.
•Fire Control.
•Central Control of Machinery.
•Redundancy of Mechanical Components.
•Redundancy of Electrical Components.
•A much higher level of engineering.
•Nearly 400 Alarm Monitoring Points compared to a Non ACP-ACCU vessel of approximately 125-150 alarm points.
•Is the highest machinery area class notation possible.
•Provides for a safer environment for its crew and passengers to work and live in.
•Provides for less operator error which will prevent spills into the environment and accidents.

The extra time and expense to achieve the ACP-ACCU certification will equal to a vessel that will operate more efficiently and safely for our customer and offer more reliable delivery schedules by having less down time than a competitors vessel.

“ACP-ACCU” stands for “Alternative Compliance Program-Automated Centrally Controlled Unattended”. A definition of the certification is as follows:

The ACP-ACCU notation from ABS is for an unmanned engine room. It is the highest machinery space class notation possible. The machinery space can be left unattended for up to 24 hours. This notation also is for primary control of the machinery space from the bridge of the vessel in lieu of control from the machinery space.

In order to get the ACP-ACCU notation on a vessel, the level of automation and machinery redundancy required is much higher than Non ACP-ACCU vessels. ACP-ACCU notation requires a much more extensive Alarm and Monitoring system, which monitors all the vital systems on the vessel. We currently have nearly 400 alarm points on the M/V HARVEY SPIRIT. A Non ACP-ACCU vessel of this size and type might have about 125-150 alarm points. Also, with ACP-ACCU notation, redundant power sources are required for vital systems (some systems actually have three sources of power) so that the loss of primary power does not cripple vital systems and the power transfer must be automatic.

There is also a great deal of failure analysis required for ACP-ACCU notation which must be done, reviewed and approved by ABS (& USCG if not in ACP program) before the design of the vessel is approved. This Failure Modes Effect & Analysis (FMEA) must also be proved on board the vessel in actual testing to verify that the vessels systems work as planned. This level of design engineering and analysis is not required on a Non ACP-ACCU vessel, which means that the systems, in general, have not been tested by class to the same level that an ACP-ACCU vessel has been tested to. All vendors must submit a design verification test procedure and a quantitative failure effects analysis test procedure which must be approved by ABS before the equipment can be installed on the vessel.

In an ACP-ACCU vessel, the vessels computer based systems must be self-monitoring and give an alarm in the event of a processor failure or system data stream loss. A central fire fighting station is required on an ACP-ACCU vessel, which allows for central fire detection monitoring and starting of the fire pumps (both main and emergency pumps) and discharge of CO2 into affected compartments. There are also additional requirements for machinery (such as main engines, gears, generators and thruster engines) which must be met for a vessel to receive the ACP-ACCU notation.

These are just a few of the major requirements necessary to achieve the ACP-ACCU notation. In summation, ACP-ACCU notation requires a much higher level of automation, fire control, central control of machinery and redundancy of mechanical and electrical components as well as a much higher level of engineering than a Non ACP-ACCU vessel.

For more information:

Shane J. Guidry
President & CEO
Harvey Gulf International Marine, Inc.
[email protected]