Fugro’s latest all-purpose survey vessel, ‘Fugro Venturer’, has begun maiden operations in the deep waters of Ireland’s Atlantic margins followed by far north sectors of the Barents Sea.

The Dutch organisation says the 72.5 metre 2455-gt craft is a platform for its trademark technologies involving relay of data direct to centralised command centres and clients as well as streamlining of subsea operations.

Current operations include a series of site and pipeline route surveys for clients including Aker BP  covering simultaneous analogue/digital operations in addition to 3D high resolution seismic and environmental sampling and shallow geotechnical studies.  Specialised equipment is said to enable sampling in depths down to 3,500 metres.  Other main features include a permanent AUV hangar housing a Kongsberg 1000 AUV whilst there are also facilities for hosting a multitude of ROV platforms.  Meanwhile a specially designed hull form and associated propulsion systems ensure acoustically quiet and economical running at higher than standard survey speeds.

Phil Meaden, Fugro Europe Marine’s Regional Director, says the new multi-role vessel will typically provide an exceptional range of survey provisions, particularly for offshore wind farms and oilfield inspections, the latter involving fast ROV and fully autonomous examinations.