High-tech equipment

With less than thirty meters in length, the vessels are manoeuvrable and built for researching large areas. Thanks to the Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) design, visible in the characteristic hull of Bibby Athena and Bibby Tethra, they can easily sail the turbulent sea. The vessels are also equipped with a so called ‘A-frame’ that deploys the equipment, with a platform specifically designed to recover equipment and with an impressive collection of other high-tech research equipment. The collection and storage of data is done securely thanks to cameras on deck, cooled and soundproof units in which the data is stored, and emergency power supply. On board there is room for sixteen people, who can use modern conveniences such as air conditioning and satellite TV. Every ten days the vessels arrive at the port of Scheveningen to take in supplies or to change crew members.

eyes and ears on board

A Vattenfall representative is also present on the vessels. "We are Vattenfall’s eyes and ears," says Tom Gray from East Point Geo, a consultancy firm for onshore and offshore geo projects. Based on their expertise, the representatives can properly assess the ongoing site investigations. Gray points out that the works are not only technically very complex, but are also carried out in a high-risk environment. “The representatives ensure that all procedures are carried out safely and correctly. In addition, it is a working environment where the crew and research teams operate under considerable pressure. We therefore also keep an eye on for example stress levels.”

"It is important that the research equipment on both vessels is calibrated equally so that data is collected in the same way."

When Bibby Athena and Bibby Tethra are in the harbour due to bad weather, the representatives of East Point Geo ensure that vessels and equipment are maintained and that the crew remains ready to sail when the weather changes. "It is important that the research equipment on both vessels is calibrated equally so that data is collected in the same way," Gray explains. "The crew is subdivided into a crew that maintains the vessels and a crew that maintains the research equipment," adds Jenkins. “When the vessels are in the port of Scheveningen, everyone stays on board. Together they ensure that the moral remains high and that the equipment stays ready for use.”

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