RV Geo Resolution Christened in Singapore
EGS managers gathered for the christening and blessing ceremony of the RV Geo Resolution, the latest addition to EGS’s fleet of deep water-capable hydrographic and geophysical survey vessels. EGS purchased the 68m-long RV Geo Resolution (formerly HMNZS Resolution) from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) where she had been the principal hydrographic survey ship. Originally designed and constructed for the US Navy (formerly USNS Tenacious) she was the 17th of a class of 18 Stalwart-class surveillance ships.
The vessel was handed over to EGS on 10 October 2014 and left Devonport Naval Base the same day for her voyage to Singapore, where she arrived at the Sembawang shipyard on 7 November.
The subsequent conversion to a commercial hydrographic and geophysical survey vessel included the installation and commissioning of a full-ocean depth multibeam system (Reson Seabat 7150-F (dual frequency 12 and 24khz, 2° x 2° beams at 12khz, 1° x 1° beams at 24khz) to full ocean depth (12khz) multibeam), Kongsberg HiPAP 501 USBL system with a 4,000m range and geophysical sensors to carry out surveys down to 2,000m water depth. For in-situ geotechnical and burial assessment survey work, the geophysical suite is complemented with gravity coring facilities and an MCPT system as part of her permanent shipfit. Furthermore, communication systems have been upgraded to include a V-Sat system to enable broadband internet connections and high speed ship-to shore data transfers.
According to EGS’s CEO Chris Welsh, the RV Geo Resolution is a vessel which was purpose-built as an acoustically very quiet survey platform, ideally suited in every way for the survey work the company performs. She had been extremely well maintained by the previous Navy owners. The New Zealand Navy provided assistance during the purchase and transition to a commercial survey vessel. Her first commercial contract is in New Zealand where she will be sailing to commence survey work on a new submarine cable system linking New Zealand and Australia.
Images: Top: RV Geo Resolution before and after her conversion. Lower: The blessing ceremony.
