Built by McTay Marine on The Wirral Chartwell is a purpose built 106t dispacement mono-hull survey vessel which was commissioned as a survey launch in 1989 and was extensively re-fitted in 2009 to enable her to undertake coastal geophysical survey operations.
She has a length of 26.5m, 5.8m beam and draft of 2.2m providing an efficient and stable working platform with secondary slow speed water-jet propulsion and automated line keeping facility. Her normal cruising speed is 15 knots..
The vessel provides round the clock operational capability for up to nine personnel for up to nine days at sea without replenishment. Accommodation is arranged into three twin cabins and three single cabins. There is a fully equipped galley and mess area, shower room and separate WC below along with storage space and laundry facilities.
The on-line survey room is configured with easy access to the working deck and handling equipment with remote control of sonar winches, CCTV monitoring of all on deck activities with multiple monitors at each work station allow data display to be configured to suit various applications.
The main bridge has direct communication with the survey room and survey navigation displays are repeated on the bridge. The rear working area is approximately 20m2 and incorporates access to the rear enclosed dive platform.
Other deck equipment includes a 6m hydraulic A-Frame with a SWL of 1 ton, hydraulic capstan, hydraulic side scan sonar winch, hydraulic crane and purpose built over-the-side mounts for deployment of over side sensors.
Safety equipment carried on board complies with the MCA code of practice for Small Commercial Vessels (SCV Code) and is supplemented by a full complement of immersion suits. Chartwell carries Category 1 certification under the SCV code allowing her to operate up to 150 miles from a safe haven on a 24 hour basis. Two 10 man life rafts are carried on board.
MMSI - 235005152
REG - UK
IMO - NA
Call Sign - MHGV6
Research Vessel
Built - McTay Marine, Birkenhead, UK
Yard No. -
L 26.5m W 5.8m
GT - 106 (t displacement)
Year - 1989
Liverpool, 9 July 2013