ASEAN’s first submarine support and rescue vessel launched

ASEAN’s first Submarine Support and Rescue Vessel (SSRV), ‘Swift Rescue’ has been launched at Singapore Technologies Marine’s (ST Marine) main shipyard in Benoi.

ST Marine had conceptualized, designed and built ‘Swift Rescue’ to enable it with the primary capability of submarine rescue as well as fulfill other secondary roles. The 85 metre by 18 metre vessel is highly maneuverable with excellent sea-keeping capabilities. Equipped with a DPS-2 dynamic positioning system, it also incorporates a helicopter deck and unique operational spaces to meet the requirements of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). It will house a highly sophisticated Submarine Rescue Vessel (SRV) to rescue personnel from a submarine in distress up to a depth of 500 metres. In June this year, ST Marine entered into a joint venture agreement with James Fisher Defence, to form First Response Marine, which was a 50:50 owned company set up for the sole purpose of undertaking the approximately US$260 million contract awarded to ST Marine by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) for the provision of a ship and submarine rescue system and maintenance services.

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Taqa Acquires Offshore Oilfields in North Sea

Dubai – Taqa Bratani Limited (Taqa Bratani), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) announced it has completed its $631 million acquisition of seven oil fields located in North Sea, from Shell UK Limited and Esso Exploration and Production (UK) Limited.

“The completion of this transaction is another important milestone for our company. Taqa is now an important producer in the UK North Sea and will play a significant role in its future; driving development, creating employment and stimulating prosperity in the area,” said Peter Barker-Homek, Taqa’s chief executive officer. At the same time, Taqa announced that at a time when global companies are facing credit crunch, the company has accumulated Dh1.2 billion surplus cash, at the close of the third quarter of 2008. The sale includes 100 per cent interest and operations of the Tern, Kestrel, Eider, Cormorant North, South Cormorant and Pelican Fields, and a combined 26.73 per cent interest in the Dana operated Hudson field together with a 16 per cent interest in the Brent System and a 24 per cent interest in the Sullom Voe Terminal.

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Pirates Fire on Ocean Cruise Vessel

Ocean Cruises Inc. released a statement on an attempted act of piracy against one of its cruise ships.

On November 30, 2008, at approximately 0928 local time, 0528 GMT, M/S Nautica was transiting through the Gulf of Aden within the prescribed Maritime Safety Protection Area which is patrolled by international anti-piracy task forces. As the vessel sailed past several groups of non-hostile fishing vessels, two small skiffs were sighted by the Officer on Duty and deemed potentially hostile. The skiffs, approaching from a range of approximately 3,300 ft, attempted to intercept the vessel’s course. Captain Jurica Brajcic and his officers immediately began evasive maneuvers and took all prescribed precautions. Nautica was immediately brought to flank speed and was able to out run the two skiffs. One of the skiffs did manage to close the range to approximately 9 yards and fired eight rifle shots in the direction of the vessel before trailing off. No one aboard Nautica was harmed and no damage was sustained.

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