Singapore unveiling: soon for Bluestone Offshore's converted survey vessel
Start-up Bluestone polishes Topaz
Singapore-based geotechnical newcomer Bluestone Offshore is wrapping up the conversion and equipping of its first survey vessel, Bluestone Topaz, and hopes to land initial work in the Asia-Pacific region in January, it said today.
Bluestone said it expected to begin sea trials of the Topaz next month after wrapping up conversion of the ship, formerly the Toisa Mariner platform supply vessel, into a dedicated dynamically equipped survey vessel.
The work, which includes shifting the vessel’s moon pool to the centre of the vessel and the installation of a mezzanine deck and customised derrick system, is being undertaken by Singapore Technologies Marine.
Work on the vessel started in early November. The company said it was also pressing ahead with hiring specialist staff.
Bluestone said it had partnered with Netherlands-based AP van den Berg to equip the vessel with seismic equipment and seabed sampling systems for pipeline and cable route and other survey.
The seabed sampling system is capable of working in water up to 1800 metres deep, the company said.
GC Rieber Shipping holds a 40% stake in Bluestone.