condition and still meets the criteria for Ice Class 1B. Te operational guidelines of our vessel are designed to avoid ice when possible. Te only encounters with ice we will permit is to break thin first year ice. Tere will be no contact with multi-year ice.”
Safety first One of the focuses for concern around the Explorer evacuation, by contrast, was the fact that passengers and crew disembarked to open lifeboats. In calm sea conditions they spent six hours afloat in the lifeboats, with no protection from the elements. Had ships willing to assist been further off, the consequences could have been far graver than was the case: four of those rescued suffered moderate hypothermia. Asked what lessons had been learnt from
Explorer when it came to lifeboat provision, Mr Bennett said: “Expedition is fitted with four new 46 person partially enclosed lifeboats (PELB). Tese are fitted with diesel engines, which are supported by two starting batteries on constant trickle charge. We are supplying immersion suits for all crew and passengers onboard, which goes beyond regulatory requirements. Te Public Address and Fire Detection systems have been totally upgraded with state of the art technology. Te radio station has been upgraded to comply with world-wide operating regulations.” Work has also been done with the fragile
Antarctic environment in mind. According to Mr Bennett: “In her life as a ferry she used holding tanks for grey water and ballast water, and pumped them ashore during the evening while not operational. We have installed a new SOLAS/MARPOL approved sewage treatment system and a fresh water treatment plant. We will also make use of a garbage compactor, cooled garbage storage room and recycling programmes onboard, depending on the facilities of the various embarkation ports. All waste streams will be mandated by our company’s operating procedures and strictly enforced onboard.” More generally, Mr Bennett said that
passenger accommodation would be spread over six decks, including three decks of new cabins. “Deck two has 14 cabins each with the ability to have triple bunk capacity,” he said. “Deck three has 36 cabins, double occupancy. Deck four has four suites and nine superior cabins. Tere is a spacious mud room and a sauna on deck two for passengers returning
The Naval Architect February 2009
GA of G.A.P. Adventures’ latest ship, Expedition.
from shore or Zodiac excursions, Deck four has a lecture hall, library and bar. Deck 5 has a dining room and panoramic view pub. Deck six has a new gym facility.” Mr Bennett said that, to date, steel work for decks and bulkheads had been completed and the car decks had already been converted into cabin decks. Te crew of 55 would each benefit from their own cabin. Meanwhile, the main engines and one of
the generators have been overhauled. Te main engines (2) are 4400kW MAK BNW U45 V 10-Cylinder. The generators (3)
are MAN GV 35.5/33A 380volt 625KVA Generators. They are on a ‘continuous machinery survey’ with Lloyd’s Register and up to date with all maintenance and overhaul, Mr Bennett said. He added that the ship had been
inspected while she was operating as a ferry and it was determined that “nothing was needed to improve her manoeuvrability. With over 10,000 horsepower, twin-screw controllable pitch propeller systems and bow thruster, she is as manoeuvrable as could be desired.” NA
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