Bourbon Liberty, latest news on the 100 and 200 series
For feedback on the 100 series and the first technical tests on the 200 series, we talk to Frank Dambrin, Executive Vice President of Bourbon Offshore.
Of the 22 PSV Bourbon Liberty 100s on order at the Sinopacific shipyard, 12 are already in operation, and the remaining 10 will be delivered between now and the end of 2010. Delivery of the AHTS Bourbon Liberty 200 (54 vessels ordered) began in February and continues according to schedule.
For feedback on the 100 series and the first technical tests on the 200 series, we talk to Frank Dambrin, Executive Vice President of Bourbon Offshore.
“It was an unprecedented challenge to mass produce 76 offshore vessels in 4 years!” declares Frank Dambrin. “But so far a challenge we are meeting successfully since the delivery schedule is rolling out at a steady pace and since the first 12 vessels in the 100 series in operation are giving full satisfaction to clients.”
BOURBON owes this success to a combination of factors. First, the rigor of the organization set up to coordinate construction and control quality at every stage. Second, the resources put in place by Sinopacific at the two shipyards of Dayang and Zhejiang.
But over and above these vital attributes to the project, the key factor for success lies in the quality of the concept and the principle of mass production.
Initial feedback from the 100 series is very satisfactory
For Frank Dambrin, “feedback from the first 12 PSVs in the Bourbon Liberty 100 series that are already in operation has been very positive, both in terms of reliability, ease of handling and operational performance.” The general view is that what everyone likes most about the Bourbon Liberty is its remarkable handling in dynamic positioning, which guarantees optimal safety in the event of poor weather conditions and during loading and unloading operations. Its maneuverability is also much appreciated on the bridge.
Feedback from the crew who work on the diesel-electric is also unanimous. “They find the machines clear and the circuits easy to follow. Everyday usage and maintenance are made much easier,” reports Frank Dambrin.
The 30% increase in cargo capacity is also an operational benefit that clients are delighted with.
200 Series: initial technical tests are positive
Tests on the Bourbon Liberty 200 series have also given total satisfaction and the vessel is deriving the full benefit of series production.
These very compact AHTS, slightly bigger than the Liberty 100s, have more powerful engines and a winch for towing platforms. They are very versatile, with their massive capacity and open deck, and they can also be used for standard PSV assignments.
The commissioning stage (technical tests) is being conducted according to a standard schedule: circuit tests, engine and alternator tests, propulsion tests, and lastly the sea trials.
To general satisfaction, the first tests of the 200 series recorded a bollard pull of nearly 85 tons, even though only 80 tons were specified in the contract.
Ten vessels are now in operation in Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Bourbon liberty series: update on deliveries
54 AHTS Bourbon Liberty 200 were ordered and are being delivered from the Sinopacific shipyards of Zhejiang and Dayang, at the rate of around 2 vessels a month, as scheduled.
- February 2009: delivery of the Bourbon Liberty 201 and 203
- March 2009: delivery of the Bourbon Liberty 202 and 204
- April 2009: delivery of the Bourbon Gulf Liberty 208
- May 2009: delivery of the Bourbon Gulf Liberty 210
- June 2009: delivery of the Bourbon Liberty 205, 206 and 212 and the Bourbon Gulf Liberty 211.
In line with the schedule, the production rate of the Bourbon Liberty 100s has slowed in 2009 in favor of the 200 series. The remaining 10 vessels in the 100 series will be delivered between now and September 2010.
