Maritime Management recently converted a 40 year old research vessel into a modern exploration vessel and has managed it through many successful operational seasons.

The ship is now equipped with purpose built ROVs operating at up to 4,000m depth and under the leadership of Dr. Ballard, a forerunner in scientific, oceanographic and archaeological research. Dr. Ballard is known for the discoveries of the Titanic, PT 109 and the Bismarck.

Project Client Operation Area Location of conversion Ship Type Job Category Client Webpage

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EV Nautilus Conversion Dr. Ballard's Ocean Exploration Trust The Med, Black Sea and Aegean Sea for 2009/10/11 season Turkey Research and Exploration Vessel Conversion and Management www.nautiluslive.org

The modifications included:

• Installation of a full modern Dynamic Positioning System, including thrusters.
• Capability to launch large ROVs over the stern.
• Laboratories and ROV control centre.
• Live streaming of camera feed from the ROVs onto the world wide web.
• Capability to remain over the subsea target in all depths, and weather conditions up to force 7 Beaufort.
• Improve accommodation to meet 21st century standards for the crew and 38 scientists onboard.
• Revamp the air conditioning system for hotter climates.
• MARPOL upgrade.

Maritime Management designed and executed the following modifications on the vessel:

ROVs:

• Removed an old unserviceable winch aft and fitted a new winch and spool with 4,000m of ROV cable.
• Installed lashing points and control winches for two large and two smaller control winches on the ROV deck.
• Renewed the corroded A frame with a new unit.
• Removed the lifting derrick and installed a telescopic hydraulic crane for launch and recovery.

Station Keeping:

• Replaced a 70KW tunnel thruster with a 300KW unit.
• Removed the active rudder and fitted a 360KW azimuth
  jet pump.
• Fitted a modern Dynamic Positioning system.
• Installed two new Caterpillar generators.

MARPOL Special Areas:

• Systems upgraded for continuous operation in Special Areas.
• Replaced the onboard sewage system with a modern treatment
  plant and holding tanks.
• Segregated grey and black water systems.
• Removed a considerable amount of old corroded piping and
  installed new galvanised piping.

Accommodation:

• Converted radio room and radio officer's cabin to the quality of the owner's cabin.
• Reconfigured cabins to allow for up to 38 scientists onboard.
• Modernised the mess room and galley.
• Moved the galley from the deck below to the mess deck.
• Increased the external deck space aft.
• Noise and vibration damping added to accommodation area.

Air Conditioning:

• Upgrade of AC system for increased amount of people.
• Increased air flow through the AC unit.
• Replaced ducting in accommodation.
• Improved cool air flow to satellite communications equipment
  and bridge electronics.