Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway --Edda Accommodation is investing $141.45 million in what it claims will be the world's first monohull accommodation flotel. Following strong interest from numerous oil company operators, Edda may build five more.

The designated construction yard for the first of these vessels, measuring 130 m (426.51 ft) long and 27 m (88.58 ft) in breadth, should be announced shortly. They are intended primarily for mild weather regions, but could also be used to provide accommodation in remote areas. Ordinarily, up to 60 crew can be accommodated.

Main features include a 1,400 cu m (15,069 sq ft) deck, a telescopic gangway, one heave-compensated knuckle boom crane, and two deck cranes. The low fuel-consumption veesel and its DP3 dynamic positioning system will be powered by five Voith Schneider propellers.

5/9/2007