Seakeeper Gyro Increases Productivity for Braveheart Vessel
When Braveheart Shipping BV commissioned its newest vessel, it needed a sturdy, fast, long-range craft that offered superior stability. With the goal of servicing wind farms more than 200 miles offshore, as well as performing survey functions, adverse sea conditions were a certainty. Guardian is the result. This Javelin 22.22 equipped with a Seakeeper M21000 gyro stabilization system can operate productively in a wide range of sea states, leading to greater profitability for Braveheart.
Netherlands-based Braveheart Shipping BV specializes in crew tendering for the construction and maintenance of offshore wind energy facilities, hydrographic and seismological research, and survey activities. With stability, speed and crew comfort set as priorities, Braveheart assigned Javelin International to build the latest 22 m addition to its fleet, the newly-designed Javelin 22.22.
"Both national and international clients are increasing the demand for offshore activities," said Jelle Hakvoort, CEO of Braveheart Shipping. "The Javelin has qualities that have never been used in this market, such as the vessel's stability even with wave heights of 2-4 meters, the increase of the field of activity and the transfer of personnel to the windmills. This vessel is equipped with at least equal technology to vessels twice as long."
Javelin, based in Urk, Netherlands, worked with maritime engineering company Vripack and construction specialists KD Workboats on the project. Kemper van Twist, Seakeeper's Dutch distributor, supported the installation of the M21000 gyro stabilization system on Guardian.
The 71-ton vessel measures 22.22 m long with a 6.62 m beam. Power comes from two Caterpillar C32 ACERT 1,300 hp engines, giving Guardian a maximum speed of 25 knots. A 15,000 liter fuel capacity further extends its range. The Seakeeper M21000 gyro spins a flywheel in a vacuum environment to deliver superior righting force whether Guardian is underway, or at slow or zero speed.
"Seakeeper's involvement in making Guardian a stable vessel validates a new offshore industry trend. Operators see increased productivity and profitability when a craft can run in varying sea conditions, all while providing a safer platform for crew and passengers," said Seakeeper COO John Kermet. "Builders likewise see that stabilized vessels offer a competitive advantage, and the industry will see such craft become the standard. We already have multiple projects underway for these types of applications.
Shortly after its christening, Guardian and its Seakeeper gyro were put to the test at sea trials on the Ijimuiden Inlet, which opens into the North Sea. That day, rough seas from a recent storm created significant wave heights of 1.14 m. Such conditions represent typical operations for a coastal work boat like the Braveheart survey vessel. The Seakeeper gyro achieved 88% roll reduction at zero speed, and 77% while Guardian was underway at 11 knots.
The Seakeeper M21000 gyro increases the operating envelope for the vessel's hydrographic survey work, as sonar equipment no longer has to compensate for severe boat motion. It enables survey data to be recorded in up to 4 m swells. Enhancing stability aboard Guardian also adds substantially to crew comfort, offering considerable relief from fatigue and motion sickness.