For the first time, a Damen Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 1605 will be built in Ecuador by Astilleros Navales Ecuatorianos (Astinave) Shipyard. Damen will supply the complete, prefabricated Shipbuilding Material Package Kit. The yard’s technical staff is responsible for the construction, together with Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC).
The DTC concept enables customers to build Damen vessels of their choice locally, according to specific requirements.The FCS will be delivered to PetroEcuador in September this year. Both parties are already negotiating about more FCSs and other vessels. State-owned oil company PetroEcuador is the end user of the new FCS, which will be deployed to transport executives to oilfields.
Customised Design
Damen engineers have been heavily involved in the design process because the vessel will not be a standard vessel. Usually, the FCS 1605 transports 29 passengers, but this vessel is being designed for only nineteen. As well as being more luxurious and spacious for high levels of passenger comfort, the vessel is also being adapted for a 3 m access system to transfer passengers to the rigs.
Trained in the Netherlands
The Ecuadorian yard has already built several Cutter Suction Dredgers and Stan Patrols over the years. This latest order followed one in September 2011 for a Stan Patrol 2606. Astinave employees also attend training courses at Damen Shipyards’ headquarters in the Netherlands. Picture: an example of an FCS 1605, the Esnaad
