Oceanco has undocked the ‘Indratus’ at its refit facility in Zwijndrecht. The 72-metre-long supply vessel is expected to be delivered at the end of the year. The Dutch company carried out a comprehensive refit as part of the ten-year inspection, which included modernisations and modifications.
“Indratus” is set to become part of Gabe Newell’s Inkfish fleet. The US tech entrepreneur already operates the 111-metre-long ‘Leviathan’ and the 93-metre Explorer “Draak”, both of which were built by Oceanco. Inkfish also operates the 56-metre-long research vessel ‘Hydra’ (formerly ‘Alucia’), 100 and 162 metres A large number of new vessels are currently under construction at VARD.
First ‘Indratus’ life
“Indratus” was released in 2017 as “Game Changer” Launched by Damen Yachting – already serving as a floating diving centre and featuring a helicopter hangar, but still measuring 69 metres in length. Thanks to its Polar Code certification, this robust vessel from the Yacht Support range can venture as far as the Arctic or Antarctic – at speeds of up to 20 knots, mind you. The support yacht has since been extended by three metres at the stern and adapted to match the look of its Inkfish sister vessels: with a grey hull, turquoise trim strip and light-coloured superstructure.
The Yacht Support Genes
What is now known as Yacht Support (YS) was originally developed by Damen as a robust support vessel for the offshore industry. The Dutch company’s yacht division first transformed one such commercial Sea-Axe platform in 2009. With a few exceptions, the modified models retain the propulsion concept of four main engines, each driving a single shaft, which was originally chosen for redundancy. A side effect of this is smaller propellers, which in turn result in shallower draught.
As a rule, displacement vessels measuring between 50 and 120 metres are supported by floating tenders. Those typically transferred to the tenders include helicopters – which benefit from significantly better landing and take-off conditions – as well as tenders, submersibles, crew, supplies and, not infrequently, guests. As many YS vessels can maintain a speed of a good 20 knots, they can also speed up boarding procedures by heading out ahead to collect guests from shore. Generally speaking, the crew can hoist the tender off the cargo deck more quickly than from a cramped garage.
The Axtbug from ‘Indratus’
Shipbuilding giant Damen developed the patented Axe Bow in collaboration with Delft University of Technology. The vertical bow cuts through heavy seas and prevents pitching – partly because the draught increases in the final quarter, meaning that, ideally, the hull does not protrude from the water as it emerges from the waves. The splash-resistant deflector rings are only just visible at the bow of the ‘Indratus’.
Sören Gehlhaus
Stellvertretender Chefredakteur BOOTE EXCLUSIV
