Feature 1 | Cruise ship teChnology
It just became safer to go back to sea
Safety, security and environmental considerations make the Oasis of the Seas
a more relaxing vessel for passengers to cruise on. Sandra Speares outlines the
vessel’s special features.
O
asis of the Seas “demonstrates that
larger cruise ships offer a better
platform to achieve higher safety
standards,” according to Royal Caribbean.
Whether one believes this claim or
not - and salvors have repeatedly raised
concerns about handling large cruise
ships in casualty situations - it is clear
that the world’s second largest cruise line
has pulled out all the stops on the safety
front.
The ship, which was delivered from
STX Europe’s Turku yard last November,
was built according to the International
Maritime Organization’s probabilistic
rules contained in SOLAS II-1.
Royal Caribbean said that tests suggest that
the ship exceeds the required index of 0.88 by
at least three points. Computer simulations Oasis of the Seas displaying its catamaran lifeboats fixed onto the LS45 davits that allow
and model tank tests suggest that the ship the craft to be lowered directly into the water.
has a survival probability of 0.99.
Over 9000 damage cases were analysed
using the probabilistic approach. The ship 63.4m across the beam and 64.92m high other can sustain the vessel.
contains 18 watertight compartments and from the water line. She has a 9.14m In order to allow for optimal energy use,
720 watertight spaces. draught and a 22.6knot cruising speed. the ship is equipped with several engine
Machinery spaces are protected by a Oasis of the Seas has 16 passenger sizes based on common rail diesel engine
double-hull. decks and 24 passenger lifts, her four bow technology to supply the ship’s power
The alternative design methodology was thrusters with 7500 horsepower each and needs whether in port or at sea.
used to demonstrate equivalent safety as three steerable 20MW pod propulsors An advanced energy management
far as fire is concerned. This is contained each of which has its own dedicated system conserves energy thanks to
in SOLAS II-2. switchboard. The ship is equipped with optimal routeing and power usage. Royal
Openings in the five main bulkheads an integrated navigation and dynamic Caribbean estimates that it has reduced
ensure the safety of the horizontal atrium positioning system. electrical use 30 to 40% compared to its
concept, protected by A60 rated double Oasis of the Seas can carry 5400 previous classes of ship.
shutters. passengers (double occupancy) up to a The ship is able to carry the new low
In special open areas, including the total of 6296 including the 2165 crew. sulphur fuel and the company says that
Boardwalk and Central Park, geographical Cabins total 2706, including 1956 with the carbon footprint of the ship is 15% to
fire breaks have also been made. balconies and 46 with wheelchair access. 25% better than previous classes.
The equivalent safety methodology Three dimensional topographic As far as the environment is concerned,
has been used to ensure the right level simulation was used to verify the ship has the Det Norske Veritas
of safety for the ship’s non-traditional configurations as far as safe return to Green Passport designation. A full time
arrangements. port compliance under the new SOLAS environmental officer is on the ship to
Third party risk assessments have requirements is concerned. ensure that crew training in environmental
been made for the ship’s special features, Machinery is housed in two matters is carried out.
including the carousel, the zipline and the compartments, with three propulsion The ship was awarded the first Clean Sea
Aquatheater. units which are all steerable. This ensures Award by Nor-Shipping for its Advanced
The 225,000gt Oasis of the Seas is flagged that if one engine compartment is flooded Wastewater Purification System, which
in the Bahamas. The vessel is 361.8m long, or lost due to fire or other damage, the was designed to be twice as stringent as US
32 The Naval Architect February 2010
NA Feb10 - p32+
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