Seattle, WA – On July 13, 2009, another offshore vessel series, designed by Naval Architect and Marine Engineering Firm “Guido Perla & Associates, Inc.†(GPA), was completed at Zhejiang Shipyard in China with the delivery of the fourth vessel of this series.
The GPA 670MKIII PSV vessels measure 73.20 meters in overall length and are equipped with three 1,825 kW main diesel generators, two 2,000 kW azimuthing Z-Drive units, two 746 kW tunnel bow thrusters, as well as one 170 kW emergency generator. The use of environmentally friendlier diesel-electric propulsion, a standard for all GPA-designed offshore vessels, results in excellent fuel efficiency, lower emissions, as well as lower operating cost for the owner as one or more of the generators can be shut down for stand-by or slower moving operations. Such benefits have been proven in recent years by other GPA offshore vessel series equipped with the same engine configuration. The GPA 670 MKIII is the latest version of the original GPA 670 PSV, which was GPA’s first series of PSVs built in China more than six years ago. A total of 22 of these vessels have been constructed and are now successfully operating globally, including these four GPA 670 MKIII PSVs, four GPA 670 MKII Special Products PSVs, four GPA 670 MKII ROVs and the ten original GPA 670 PSVs. “This will be the last one of this very successful design. A new design has been developed to replace this design in order to meet the new clean hull and other recent regulations. It is sad to realize that, but things in this life are always evolving and we all are getting older. I certainly believe this design will be an excellent addition to the fleets for years to come.†says Mr. Guido F. Perla, chairman of GPA.
While the GPA 670 MKIII PSVs are designed for worldwide operation, these vessels are primarily developed to engage in the transport of stores, materials and equipment to offshore installations in tropical areas. The DP2- and FFV1-certified vessels, which can accommodate 22 crewmembers, also provide the capability to carry 255 m³ of bulk material, 1,083 m³ of liquid products, 965 m³ of fuel oil cargo, as well as 800 m³ of cargo fresh water.
The vessels are classified BV1, + Hull, + Mach, Unrestricted Navigation Supply Vessel/Oil, Firefighting Ship 1 and AM-AT-R (Class 2). By applying the highest safety standards and comfort levels, offshore operations are being conducted without risk to the health or security of crewmembers.
“We are proud to see another multi-vessel project of our offshore designs successfully completed, strengthening our position in this market segment,†adds Mr. Perla, “and we hope that our ongoing efforts to compete in the offshore market will continue to turn into viable collaborations with vessel operators worldwide.â€
Guido Perla and Associates, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is recognized as a world leader in naval architecture and marine engineering.
