Delivery of hydrographic survey vessel

Ultimately owned and operated by the General Commission for Survey (GCS) of Saudi Arabia, the Sultan is a slightly modified version of the vessel Fugro Helmert, which was delivered to Fugro in 2013.
With a length of 43.70m, width of 9.80m and draught of 2.80m the 497gt vessel is equipped with sophisticated survey systems in a modular concept. The Sultan will mainly execute hydrographic and oceanographic surveys, out of its home port of Jeddah. A wide range of auxiliary winches and equipment can be arranged on the work deck, in flexible configurations and within short mobilisation periods, along with two survey launches for shallow water operations, the shipbuilder said.  
With two rudder propellers the Sultan is able to sail above 11.3 knots at high efficiency and manoeuvrability. The vessel is powered by two MAN diesel engines with a total output of 662 kW. It can accommodate 24 persons.
Characteristic features of the vessel are low-underwater noise excitation for hydrographic purposes, short mobilisation time for different deck equipment scenarios, including movable A-frame and davit systems locked to flush deck holding points.
Various hydro-acoustic equipment, multi-beam echo sounders, and sub bottom profilers are permanently installed. Heat emitting systems are confined in temperature controlled compartments. Collected data can be processed on board in dedicated, air-conditioned laboratories.
The bridge equipment includes Radar, ECDIS, and GMDSS systems to A3 standard.