Research and survey vessel Ramform Hyperion has docked
at Limassol port, on Cyprus` southern coast, to carry out seismic
research in the Republic`s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The vessel arrived from the Mitsubishi shipyard, in Nagasaki in
Japan, after she had carried out all the necessary tests in Singapore,
according to Cyprus News Agency.
She is expected to carry out three-dimensional seismic research and surveys until mid August this year.
The Republic of Cyprus has issued a navigational warning (Navtex)
with the precise coordinates within which Ramform Hyperion will operate
and called on all vessels to be vigilant within a distance of 10
nautical miles from the Ramform Hyperion.
She carries 14 seismic cables, some 10 kilometres long which cover an
area of 1.500 in width and she is accompanied by support vessels.
Earlier this month the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement
with reference to the navigational warning (NAVTEX) no. 410/17, dated
19.04.2017, which was issued by Turkey and purports to reserve an area
within the territorial sea, continental shelf and exclusive economic
zone of Cyprus off the coast of Famagusta for the conduct of seismic
surveys, between 21 April and 30 June 2017, by the survey vessel
"BARBAROS HAYREDDIN PAŞA” and support vessel "BRAVO SUPPORTER”.
The Ministry emphasised that the NAVTEX "was issued by an incompetent
authority and is, therefore, invalid”, noting the competence for the
issuance of NAVTEX concerning the reservation of areas within the search
and rescue region of Cyprus belongs to the Republic of Cyprus. "In this
context, proper actions were taken in order to inform all interested
parties in relation to the invalidity of the Turkish NAVTEX”.
It further emphasized that the announced seismic surveys within the
"territorial sea, continental shelf and exclusive economic zone of
Cyprus, if materialized, would constitute a violation by Turkey of the
sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its
maritime zones under international law, both conventional and customary,
as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea”.
The government of the Republic of Cyprus reserves its right to act in
a way it deems appropriate, in accordance with international law, in
the event that the aforementioned activities by Turkey take place, the
navtex points out.
Ramform Hyperion, launched March 2017, represents an enormously
stable platform with outstanding sea keeping characteristics that is
capable of taking full advantage of our GeoStreamer® technology. This
Titan-class ship can encompass virtually any acquisition design, and
offers the best safety, efficiency and productivity in the industry.
Ramform Hyperion`s mutually redundant twin engine rooms provide a
total power pack of 26.4 Megawats to drive three 6000 kW controlled
pitch propellers: she can tow a full spread of dual-sensor recording
equipment using just two of them.
This Ramform Titan-class vessel has 24 streamer reels, 16 abreast
with a further 8 in a second row. This permits flexibility and efficient
acquisition of high volume exploration 3D, or high-density 3D or 4D,
and anything in between. The back deck layout is augmented by six
independent source array handling booms. Together this arsenal of
equipment enables faster deployment and recovery, with increased
flexibility and safety, making it possible to more fully utilize the
operational weather window. Steerable sources and streamers, and
automated gear-handling systems further contribute to the flexibility
and effectiveness of this flagship vessel.
Two stern-launched work boats permit safe streamer maintenance also
in marginal weather. Maritime and seismic equipment maintenance can
increasingly be carried out at sea without impairing operations.
Dry-docking interval is 7.5 years.
(www.goldnews.com.cy)