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Abstract Offshore exploitation of oil- and gas resources can only be maintained ifefficient support tools like vessels and its equipment are available. The SmitSemi's 1 and 2 are recognized as a new step forward in this approach. Designbackground reaching to the final design will be discussed ranging from theoverall layout, motional behaviour, stability up to the construction. Introduction As the exploitation of offshore oil-and gas reserves is steadily increasingduring the last decades, the requirements for efficient IRM and subseainstallation and construction work is growing. The North Sea market is nowadaysa multimillion dollar market. These platforms, subsea structures and pipelineshave to be maintained. The preferred approach of performing these tasks is thatof using modern equipment combined with a professional company. Currently thereis a need for new sophisticated equipment entering the market. The developmentand introduction of the two compact semi-submersibles Smit Semi 1 and 2 areregarded as a solution. In this paper, the development of vessel from thefeasibility stage up to the construction will be highlighted. Special attentionwill be given to new steps in the well-known concept of semi-submersibledesign. Initial Design Specification As the first step in the design process, the project team of SmitInternational and Marine Structure Consultants (MSC) established the designspecification for the new offshore support vessel. Based on the initial marketreview, the vessel should serve the Inspection, Repair and Maintenance (IRM)market and the light and medium installation and construction market (ref 4).Initially, extensive saturation diving operations were not specified as a majorelement of the vessel. |
