m/v Polarcus Amani

Length: 92 m
Breadth: 22 m
Gross Tonnage: 7894
DeadWeight: 4350 t
Speed recorded (Max/Average): 14.9/10.3 knots
Flag: Bahamas
IMO: 9610171





ULSTEIN delivered the next generation seismic research vessel Polarcus Amani to marine geophysical company Polarcus on 29 March 2012. The vessel is of the SX134 design from ULSTEIN, and is vessel number seven in Polarcus’ fleet of some of the most modern and advanced seismic vessels in the world; all with the X-BOW® hull line design.

Polarcus Amani is the first Polarcus vessel built by ULSTEIN’s own shipyard in Norway. She is soon to be followed by her sister vessel, yard number 293, due for delivery at the end of Q2.


Arctic Approach
Polarcus Amani is an arctic-ready vessel designed and built for operations in arctic waters. She carries the ICE-1A* and Winterized Basic notations from DNV, and can operate in first-year ice of up to 1 metre thickness without the assistance of icebreakers. The entire vessel is ice-reinforced with thicker ribs and skin plates. She has de-icing and ice-preventing systems at critical tanks and pipelines, and propellers, gears and thrusters are dimensioned for withstanding operations in ice. Escape corridors and rescue equipment are also protected against icing during arctic operations. Although 3D seismic acquisition will only take place in ice-free, or possibly bergy water conditions, the arctic qualities of the vessel enables it to move through ice on her way to and from the survey area, or remain in icy areas waiting for the ice to clear, increasing the operational window of the vessel.



Environmental effortsMinimising environmental impact is central to Polarcus’ business philosophy and a focus area in all the company’s activities. This is particularly important when operating in fragile areas such as the arctic. A number of environmental initiatives have been taken when designing and building the Polarcus Amani.

“We take every precaution to prevent or minimise our environmental footprint,” says Peter Zickerman, Executive Vice President of Polarcus, and continues: “The vessel’s double hull and its advanced bilge water cleaning system and ballast water treatment system reduce emissions to water down to a minimum. The vessel, like the other vessels in our fleet, runs on marine gas oil (MGO) with low sulphur content and has high specification exhaust catalysts, which clean the exhaust before it is emitted to air. Polarcus Amani is also equipped with a diesel electric propulsion system. The vessel’s X-BOW hull line design is another of its many green features, in that it reduces fuel consumption and therefore emissions to air. This is one of the reasons why we only have X-BOWs in our fleet.”

Polarcus Amani carries the Clean Design notation from DNV.

Bad weather vessel
The hydrodynamic efficiency of the X-BOW, which leads to reduced emissions and more cost-effective operations, is not its only benefit. With its superior sea-keeping abilities, it also provides a safe and comfortable workplace for the crew both during transit and seismic surveys. This is particularly the case in heavy sea. The X-BOW eliminates slamming and hence increases the well-being of those on board.

“The X-BOW’s gliding movements and the absence of slamming allows us to relax and sleep uninterruptedly – a definite benefit for the people on board, says a chief officer in Polarcus, who has plenty of experience with the tiring effect slamming has on the body from his time on board vessels with a conventional bow.

The biggest solar energy boat


Name: Tûranor PlanetSolar
Owner: PlanetSolar SA
Builder: Knierim Yachtbau, Kiel, Germany
Cost: €12.5 million
Launched: 31 March 2010
Class and type: Yacht
Displacement: 85 metric tons
Length: 31 m (35 m with flaps)
Beam: 15 m (23m with flaps)



Propulsion: 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Electrical Motors - 60kW each (max) @ 1600 rpm
2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Electrical Motors - 10kW each (max) @ 1000 rpm
Speed: max.: 14 knots (26 km/h)
cruising (est.): 7.5 knots (14 km/h)
Crew: 4

Tûranor PlanetSolar, also known under the project name PlanetSolar, is an entirely solar powered boat that was launched on 31 March 2010. It was built by Knierim Yachtbau in Kiel, Germany, and was designed by LOMOcean Design, formerly known as Craig Loomes Design Group Ltd.. It is the largest solar-powered boat in the world.

Similarly to Earthrace, another boat designed by LOMOcean Design, Tûranor PlanetSolar is planning to set a round-the-worldrecord that will promote the use of sustainable energy. Instead of using Bio Diesel like Earthrace, Tûranor PlanetSolar plans to exclusively use solar power. In doing so, Tûranor PlanetSolar will become the first ever boat to circumnavigate the world using solar power alone. In order to fulfill this challenge, the boat is covered in over 500 square meters of solar panels rated 93 kW, which in turn connect to one of the two electric motors in each hull. Although its hull is capable of hosting 200 persons, the shape of the boat means that it will be able to reach speeds of up to fourteen knots. The boat's hull has been model tested inwind tunnels and has been tank tested to determine the hydrodynamics and aerodynamics of the hull. This 31 meter long boat has been designed to be used as a luxury yacht after the record attempt is finished.

On 27 September 2010 Tûranor PlanetSolar started on a journey around the world in Monaco. With this expedition, the iniatiors of the project would like to focus the public awareness on the importance of renewable energies for environmental protection. The crew of six will circumnavigate the globe solely with the aid of solar power. Captain of the expedition is Frenchman Patrick Marchesseau. Other participants are Christian Ochsenbein (Bern, Switzerland) and Jens Langwasser (Kiel, Germany); as well as project initiator Raphael Domjan (Yverdon-les Bain, Switzerland). On the first leg across the Atlantic Ocean technician Daniel Stahl (Kiel, Germany) and first mate Mikaela von Koskull (Finland) were part of the crew. On 27 November 2010 the solar boat reached Miami. A significant stopover was Cancún, during the United Nations World Climate Conference.

At the centerline of the world tour, the French Canadian Captain Erwann Le Rouzic took over in New Caledonia mid may 2011, for the further circumnavigation sharing the master's responsibility with Captain Patrick Marchesseau.

End of May 2011, the world's largest solar boat docked at Brisbane, where in an official ceremony the "PlanetSolar Relay for Hope" was launched, a global relay children and young people can take part in and present their visions and hopes for a solar energy driven world through essays, qIkY0KVkSsqOSt_97xPA77kGjAW-xkaw5rNs-bhmuDz41cGXjcRrdH8V-n7nszQVZ0c24BNftY_pzgOLright: 1em; text-align: justify;">
On the first solar boat expedition around the globe, the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar has already reached two records: fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by solar boat and longest distance ever covered by a solar electric vehicle.

The current routing around the globe (subject to favourable weather and nautical conditions) foresees stopovers in several port cities to inform the public about the importance of sustainable and renewable energies.

The boat is registered in Switzerland and was financed by a German entrepreneur. Construction cost was € 12.5 million. The name Tûranor, derived from J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings, translates to "The Power of the Sun".

m/v MSC Divina

Name:MSC Divina
Lenght: 333.00 m
Beam: 38.00 m
Draft: 8.29 m
Height: 66.81 m
Deadweight: 13,188 m.t.
Passengers: 3,502
Crew: 1,719
Power: 29,250 hp
Speed: 23.7 kn
Sipyard: STX Europe

MSC Divina is the newest cruise ship of MSC Cruises. The ship was built in the French shipyard STX Europe and completed in the beginning of 2012, as she will enter in service in May. The cruise ship is one of the most luxury and most impressive new vessels and has large measurements, great capacity and really wonderful entertainments. The cruise ship MSC Divina has length of 333.00 meters and beam of 38.00 meters. The depth of the vessel is 8.29 meters and the height is 66.81 meters. The gross tonnage of the ship is 137,936 gross tons and deadweight of 13,188 metric tons. These measurements are making MSC Divina the largest ship in Fantasia class vessels of MSC Cruises. The main engine of the cruise ship is Wartsila 16V38B, which will give output power of 21,800 kW (equals to 29,250 hp). This power is enough for the giant cruise ship to reach maximum speed of 24.5 knots, while the cruise speed if 23.7 knots.

The cruise ship has total 18 decks, 13 from which are available for the passengers. The cruise ship MSC Divina is one of the most wonderful and luxury cruise ships and offers to the guests the most impressive holidays on board. The ship has 1,739 cabins on board, which are able to host 3,502 passengers. The cabins are from four different classes, as the most luxury ones are the VIP suites. Only 99 staterooms from this class are available on board of MSC Divina, as they have own verandahs with beautiful ocean view, bathroom with vane and luxury design. The VIP suites offer 24-hour butler service, as the guests who are sleeping there will have definitely great vacation. Also it is good to mention that not only the VIP suites offer beautiful view, as more of 80% from all the staterooms have ocean view, luxury interior and comfortable equipment. The crew on board is 1,719 members, who will care for the good service, navigation, machinery and all the entertainments. In any case MSC Divina is one of the most impressive vessels, which was ever built.

 The cruise ship is project for 742 million USD, which was ordered in September 2011 and first was projected with name MSC Fantasia. However, the godmother of the ship Sophia Loren, requested from MSC's boss to change the name to MSC Divina, because she was impressed by the beauty and comfort of the vessel. The cruise ship has 4 outside swimming pools, Aurea Spa resort, Balinese massage and many more attractions and beauty salons. Also on board there are sport facilities, such as fitness center, basketball and football fields and mini golf. One of the most impressive attractions is the Exercise center overlooking the water, which is impressive and beautiful place for young and old people. On board of MSC Divina also there are parks, sunbathing places, lounges, bars and restaurants, which will care for nice and pleasant time during the vacation of all the guests. Of course for the ladies, one of the most interesting places on board is Piazza St. Marco shopping center, where the guests are able to visit some of the best known shops of the famous branches for clothing, cosmetics and etc. In any case MSC Divina will give you the most incredible holiday on board and will offer you a lot of attractions, entertainments and destinations. The cruise ship will start operations in May 2012 with beautiful holiday tour in Mediterranean sea. Definitely MSC Divina is one of the most beautiful cruise ships, built ever and one of the largest MSC Cruises vessels.

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