1987 Cygnus Dive Support Vessel

CONSTRUCTION: GRP (1987)

DIMENSIONS: LOA 39′ 6″ (12m), Beam 14′ 0″ (4.3m), Draft 5′ 0″ (1.5m)

ACCOMMODATION: 4 berths plus small galley area and toilet

ENGINE: Caterpillar 3306 DI diesel driving a fixed pitch propeller through a twin disc MG 509 gearbox

DESCRIPTION: This vessel has a large wheelhouse with steering (to port), dive control console, navigation gear, and the galley area which provides a small cooker and sink. A companionway leads down into the diver’s quarters where there is a table, four single berths, plus a huge amount of storage space and access to the engine room. This area has a glazed skylight and portholes to either side, and also has an electric heater. The heads is situated just off the engine room to starboard. The vessel has a huge aft deck, with access to the bottle store via a hatch. There is an access door on the stern with a folding diver’s ladder. Navigation equipment includes: Sailor RT144C radio, Furuno radar model 1800, Royal RV 300E depth sounder, Sestrel compass, windscreen wipers, and navigation and deck lights. Diving equipment includes: Main diving control board, Diver two-way radio system, Ingasoll Rand type 30 air compressor powered by a Lister 2 cylinder diesel, and 2 compressed air tanks. Other equipment includes an ED210 gas detector, ventilation fans and Halon fire extinguishers in the engine room, automatic bilge pumps, etc. The boat carries about 650 gallons diesel and 40 gallons fresh water. Fuel consumption is about 10 gallons/hour at cruising speed. She is a very heavily constructed vessel, with a 120 by 80 mm D-fender round her hull, plus a further 450mm D-fender lower down. Additionally, the superstructure is protected by a substantial collision frame to protect the boat from damage being incurred as a result of contact with other vessels when she is rolling heavily.

REMARKS: Built by Clark’s Boat Works, Portland, Dorset, this vessel was previously used in Portland harbour as a diving/maintenance vessel. Her current owners have used her for similar purposes, though on a wider geographic base. Massively constructed, and appearing to be well-maintained, this is a serious working vessel. She carries a large amount of professional diving gear which would need testing before use but is understood to be in good working order.