So maybe a stupid question but I have never seen it addressed, so here goes, Why have I never seen an X Bow (that’s what Ulstein calls the design) but wave cutting hull types in commercial vessels in US, just curious. Even the brand new builds aren’t. It’s more efficient right? Or have I missed something. Interested to hear what some people with experience think. Let the reasonable and measured conversation begin
Cheers
I think just because it’s so new. Maybe you’ll see more in the new builds in a few years.
Also, think weather has something to do with it. I can see an AX-bow in the GOM perhaps, but not sure if the weather, or lack there of, makes having a X-bow a priority. North Sea has some nasty weather that the GOM just doesn’t have, making the X-bow a better choice up there. I like how they look though.
Don’t take this the wrong way but there are a few that are and have been in the US for a while now. A new one just got here a few weeks ago and is on a Flotel job right now. Vessel name is island intervention. There will be more coming to the gulf as chouest has prints for two of them to be built if not being built already.
because Gulf of Mexico shipyards have no clue or ability to build a hull with such a complex shape. I mean most GoM newbuilds are rather simple hullforms for the most part albeit also do the job well enough for the environment they work in.
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There she is
Maybe not lol idk why the pics aren’t working .
I guess none of the other Shipyards in the US have a clue either. Right C.Captain ?
[QUOTE=AHTS Master;136401]I guess none of the other Shipyards in the US have a clue either. Right C.Captain ?[/QUOTE]
Oh, I am sure there are plenty of yards all over the US that could build an X-Bow vessel…for a very high price to incentivize them to make the effort but in the US we eschew any such extravagance and rather accept pretty bland craft.
Personally however…I think X-Bow vessels are Butt Fucking Ugly! But then again, I am a man who cherishes the WWII Maritime Commission like the C1 class…
Those were fine ships any real seaman would fine a soft spot in his heart for…
The problem is that even if the US shipyards had the ability to build complex double-curvature hull forms in the past (as someone pointed out in the other thread), it does not mean that the shipyards building offshore vessels today are capable of doing that. They are geared towards relatively simple, hard-chined, barge like hull forms because that’s what the buyers want.
[QUOTE=Tups;136405]The problem is that even if the US shipyards had the ability to build complex double-curvature hull forms in the past (as someone pointed out in the other thread), it does not mean that the shipyards building offshore vessels today are capable of doing that. They are geared towards relatively simple, hard-chined, barge like hull forms because that’s what the buyers want.[/QUOTE]
Its a question of construction cost vs charter day rate and what the oil companies are willing to pay for
you dont need a rolling machine/stretch former to weld a porta-cabin to a flat top barge or
because you cant build them its another reason to get a jones act waiver for a foreign boat??
self fulfilling prophecy maybe?
[QUOTE=tugsailor;136413]Its a question of construction cost vs charter day rate and what the oil companies are willing to pay for[/QUOTE]
Construction costs are easier to measure then long-term operational costs. Better accommodation might lower crew fatigue and turnover which would in turn lead to more reliability and lower maintenance cost, however it would be difficult to accurate put a dollar figure on the long-term savings.
By contrast likely the yard can compute the additional construction cost very closely. If the long-term savings can not be estimated or are not understood the owner would find it more difficult to justify additional costs.
Wonder if they have started on it yet?
http://gcaptain.com/edison-chouest-offshore-to-build-first-x-bow-in-u-s/
[QUOTE=The Rover;136422]Wonder if they have started on it yet?
http://gcaptain.com/edison-chouest-offshore-to-build-first-x-bow-in-u-s/[/QUOTE]
I wonder how expensive that boat will turn out to be and if it will feature some simplifications to the hull form…
ECO is smart to build a respected modern Ulstein design. Hopefully, they won’t attempt to take any short cuts and turn it into cheap imitation.
Should they class it with DNV, instead of ABS, even though that would cost a lot more? It would have a lot more credibility if they do.
I can envision European oil companies willing to pay a higher dayrate for a Ulstein designed, DNV classed xbow, over a bayou designed ABS classed barge shaped vessel.
I would like to believe that they’ve learned their lessons about cutting corners, but only time will tell. I’m sure there is some interest from Ulstein on that matter as well. There is no way they would want a vessel out there with their name on the plans that doesn’t live up to their reputation for quality.
The plans that Eco have are from the ulstein design. I was told… ( this is he say she say) but ulstein approved the plans.
[QUOTE=captainbry;136440]The plans that Eco have are from the ulstein design. I was told… ( this is he say she say) but ulstein approved the plans.[/QUOTE]
Does that mean they will have to foreign crew it…lol
[QUOTE=powerabout;136441]Does that mean they will have to foreign crew it…lol[/QUOTE]
Yeah. I heard that Crocodile Dundee is training up two crews for it in Australia. But don’t get to excited, i also heard that the trainees are all former Norwegians who immigrated to Australia last week.