The following is the text of a news release from Eastern Shipbuilding Group:
(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc. is pleased to announce the christening and launching of the M/V Bravante VIII for Boldini S.A., Bravante Group of Brazil. This is the fourth vessel launched in a series of five. The event was held on April 25 at Eastern’s Nelson Street facility with hundreds of Eastern’s employees and guests in attendance.
Attending from Bravante were Nuno Neves, CEO, and Arnaldo Faissolmendes, CFO, along with additional members that traveled from Brazil to witness the launch of the fourth of five platform supply vessels under contract with Eastern. The Bravante V was the first PSV delivered last year. The second vessel, the Bravante VI, was launched in August 2013 and delivered in February 2014 and the third vessel, the Bravante VII, has completed regulatory trials and is days away from delivery.
The president of Bravante Group, Nuno Neves, spoke about "the ongoing journey we all have taken which has led us to another great day, the quality of workmanship, with two vessels already delivered, their performance and the long-term partnership between Bravante Group and Eastern Shipbuilding Group."
Deacon Timothy Warner of Saint John’s Catholic Church in Panama City, Fla., performed the blessing of the vessel. Mimi D’Isernia had the honor of christening the vessel standing alongside her husband, Eastern President Brian D’Isernia. D’Isernia said a few words about the continued bright future of shipbuilding here in the United States, how this project continues to add more local jobs and his gratitude to Eastern’s skilled workers prior to the launch.
The Bravante VIII is the third of five vessels in a series and are ABS A-1, SOLAS/IMO, FFV-1, DPS-2, AC diesel-electric powered, twin propulsion PSVs. These high-tech vessels feature four Cummins 16-cylinder turbo-charged IMO Tier II diesel generator engines each rated at 1825 kW at 1,800 rpm. Cummins also furnished the four Marathon Model 744 690VAC main generators. Main propulsion power is provided by two 690VAC electric motors driving two Schottel Combi-Drives single fixed pitch propellers with nozzles rated at 2,500 kW at 750 rpm each for a total of 6,700 hp. Schottel also provides two STT 4 fixed pitch reversing tunnel thrusters rated at 1,180 kW at 1,170 rpm, each with direct coupled Hyundai 690VAC electric motors. GE Energy Power Conversion provides the complete system integrated diesel electric package, including the thruster drives, motors, control systems, DP system, switchboards, motor control centers, automation and navigation/ communication electronics. These vessels are capable of a maximum speed of 14 knots with a cruising speed of 12 knots. The fully integrated bridge is arranged for increased visibility and features the latest technology in navigation and communication equipment.
The Bravante VIII platform supply vessel features the following:
Vessel dimensions (feet): 284’x 60’x 24’-6”
Vessel dimensions (meters): 86.5m x 18.3m x 7.5m
Regulatory: Marshall Islands, ABS A-1, SOLAS/IMO
Power generation: GE Energy Power Conversion DE 690VAC
Generators: Cummins QSK60DM IMO II: 4 x 1825kW
Propulsion: Schottel SCD 2020 FP z-drives: 2 x 2,500kW
Bow thrusters: Schottel STT4: 2 x 1,180 kW
Sleeping accommodations: (4) Four-man staterooms
(5) Two-man staterooms
(3) One-man staterooms
The Bravante VIII platform supply vessel features the following capacities:
Deadweight tonnage (DWT): 4,500 LT
Cargo fuel oil capacity: 442,675 USG (1,600m3)
Fuel oil day tanks: 62,608 USG (237m3)
Potable water: 26,575 USG (100.6)
Drill water/ballast: 513,550 USG (1,944m3)
Brine/additional drill water: 5,030 bbls (800m3)
Liquid mud/fuel oil: 5,030 bbls (800m3)
Dry-bulk mud: 8,631 cu ft. (244m3)
Clear deck area: 9,365 sq ft. (870m2)
Firefighting vessel: ABSFFV-1, 2×5284 GPM monitors w/deluge system
All five vessels under contract are Marshall Islands flag, IMO/SOLAS, ABS Classed A1, Offshore Support Vessel Ocean Service, Loadline, AMS, ACCU, Circle E, with additional ABS Class notations UWILD, ENVIRO, DPS-2. The Bravante VIII and the remaining three vessels will feature the Class Notation ABS FFV-1.
STX Canada Marine provided the STX SV290 design which is the basis for the very successful and proven Eastern Shipbuilding Tiger Shark class series. Ten other offshore supply vessels in this design series have been delivered to Eastern’s clients and have already proven themselves in worldwide operations.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group is currently under contract constructing a total of 16 vessels of similar size and complexity for customers here in the United States and in Brazil. These contracts maintain Eastern’s reputation as the largest OSV/PSV and MPSV new construction shipyard in North America.
