Eastern Shipbuilding Group christened and launched the Bravante VII for Boldini S.A., Bravante Group of Brazil on Dec. 20, 2013 at Eastern’s Nelson Street Facility. This is the third PSV launched in a series of five.

The first vessel, the Bravante V, was delivered in November 2013 and the Bravante VI was launched in August of 2013 with final delivery set for January 2014.

The Bravante series vessels are ABS A-1, SOLAS/IMO, FFV-1, DPS-2, AC Diesel-Electric powered, twin propulsion PSV’s. The vessels feature four Cummins 16-cylinder turbo-charged IMO Tier 2 diesel generator engines each rated at 1825 kW at 1,800 rpm. Cummins also furnished the four Marathon Model 744 690VAC main generators. Main propulsion power is provided by two 690VAC electric motors driving two Schottel combi-drives single fixed pitch propellers with nozzles rated at 2,500 kW at 750 rpm each for a total of 6,700 hp. Schottel also provides two STT 4 fixed pitch reversing tunnel thrusters rated at 1,180 kW at 1,170 rpm, each with direct coupled Hyundai 690VAC electric motors. GE Energy Power Conversion provides the complete system integrated diesel electric package, including the thruster drives, motors, control systems, DP system, switchboards, motor control centers, automation and navigation/ communication electronics. These vessels are capable of a maximum speed of 14 knots with a cruising speed of 12 knots.

The 284’x 60’x 24’-6” Bravante VII platform supply vessel has bunks for 30 in 12 staterooms. 

The Bravante VII Platform Supply Vessel features the following capacities:

Dead weight tonnage (DWT): 4,500 LT
Cargo fuel oil capacity: 442,675 USG (1,600m3)
Fuel oil day-tanks 62,608 USG (237m3) potable water capacity: 26,575 USG (100.6)
Drill water/ballast capacity: 513,550 USG (1,944m3)
Brine/additional drill water capacity: 5,030 bbls. (800m3) liquid mud/fuel oil capacity: 5,030 bbls. (800m3) dry-bulk mud: 8,631 cuft. (244m3) clear deck area: 9,365 sqft. (870m2)
Firefighting vessel: ABS FFV-1, 2x5284 GPM monitors w/deluge System

All five vessels under contract are Marshall Islands Flag, IMO/SOLAS, ABS Classed A1, Offshore Support Vessel Ocean Service, Loadline, AMS, ACCU, Circle E, with additional ABS Class notations UWILD, ENVIRO, DPS-2. The Bravante VII and the remaining three vessels will feature the Class Notation ABS FFV-1.

STX Canada Marine provided the STX SV290 design which is the basis for Eastern Shipbuilding's “Tiger Shark Class” series. Ten other supply vessels in this design series have been delivered to Eastern’s clients.