An Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) installed on a Subsea7 vessel in 2015 has been upgraded to meet the ballast water treatment system (BWTS) requirements of the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
The OBS was installed on Subsea’s Seven Pacific vessel in 2015. However, this was prior to the OBS USCG type approval that was achieved in December 2016.
The UV-based technology underwent two hours of upgrades while installed on the Seven Pacific. According to Oddgeir Refvik, Seven Pacific Chief Engineer, the upgrade was very straightforward, requiring a software modification. He explained: “The service engineer brought an updated manual and information plate onboard, upgraded the software and then took us through the changes. That was it. We can now easily change the operation mode of our Optimarin BWT system between IMO or USCG mode.”
Optimarin CEO, Tore Andersen, commented: “The fact we can undertake these simple upgrades, enabling complete compliance for units installed pre-USCG approval, is a tangible demonstration of how our systems and organisation are tailored to meet the current and future needs of responsible, ambitious shipowners worldwide. We feel privileged to help them sail compliantly into the future.”
Mr Refvik added: “I have formed a good impression of Optimarin – from the installation of the system three years ago, to its first service visit this year, and now the USCG upgrade.
It is a system that have been working very well since installation. The required maintenance is low while the spare parts required on-board are minimal. The ballasting itself is easy to perform from the local panel on the system or, as we mostly use it, via integration into our marine automation system K-Chief 700.”
