Installation of new radar technology on MV Ramform Sterling

MV Ramform Sterling has a SHN X9 radar installed. “ It is the extreme performance of the radar that is the reason we will try it, says captain Robert Heggdal to Skipsrevyen.

MV Ramform Styerling is proably the world´s most advanced seismic vessel. With 22 streamers the equipage is called “the biggest floating object in the world”. The vessel is part of the last generation S-class Ramform and exceeds the V-class as to productivity in all areas. Quality and quantity of aquired seismic data is unique, and it is in this repect one must understand the shipowner´s interest in the radar.
“The radar shall to a greater extent than a conventional radar be able to detect what is a dangerous object to us”, says captain Robert Heggdal. “What we fear is that floating objects like containers, logs and similar will damage our towed streamers. Such a situation will be extremely unlucky. Damage to the the seismic gear can have extremelys bad influence on cost and time relative to the expectations of the principal”, he says.
“When we detect a floating object on the radar display, we firstly deploy a auxiliary boat in order to remove the object. If this fails, the next option is to change course. Anyway it is vital to detect the object in time to avoid it”, captain Heggdal explains.
“The X9 gives a fantastic radar picture”, says Heggdal. On a seismic vessel the radar is particularly important. He tells that offshore Africa and Indian waters they often encounter small canoes/fishing vessels which are difficult to detect on an ordinary radar picture. “But with this radar wa are able to see small vessels even during bad weather conditions.
More radar sets in the pipeline
It is after close consideration that Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) has deceided to equip their latest seismic vessels with Sea-Hawk Navigation´s new X9 radar technology. In addition to MV Ramform Sterling the contract also includes Yard. no. 534 and 535 from Vulcano S.A.