Crewboats

Seacor Marine adds new-generation crewboats to fleet

Ross McGravie

US-based Seacor Marine has unveiled its new high-speed catamarans for offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Incat Crowther-designed, next-generation CrewZer-type catamarans, Seacor Puma and Seacor Panther, were built by Astilleros Armon in Spain.

The 57.25-metre LOA vessels can transfer personnel and equipment to offshore platforms at maximum speeds of more than 40 knots.

The new design has 30 per cent more deadweight capacity than its predecessor.

The vessels, which retain the structure and certification for 150 passengers but are fitted out in a 76-seat configuration with an overnight crew cabin. All passengers have reclining seats fitted with privacy partitions, reading lights and device-charging ports.

The main deck also has a hospital, utility room, self-service café/bar and four passenger bathrooms.

The port hull features a fully equipped galley, crew mess, two twin cabins and a bathroom. The starboard hull has five twin cabins and a bathroom.

They are fitted with four Cummins QSK95 main engines, each producing 2,983 kW driving Hamilton Jet HT-810 waterjets.

The DP2 ABS-classed vessels are also fitted with Class 1 fire-fighting equipment.