SWATH RESEARCH VESSEL - THE BUILDING OF RV WESTERN-FLYER

The design of the SWATH (small waterplane area, twin hull) research ve ssel Western Flyer is described. Because the Flyer is intended to sc w e as mother-ship for an advanced deep-diving ROV (remote-operated vehi cle) to be deployed in California's Monterey Bay area the SWATH config uration presents a safe and stable platform from which to operate in p ractically all weather conditions. Launch and retrieval of the ROV fro m the sheltered moonpool, or centerwell, are discussed as well as the elaborate Tether Management System. The deck and machinery arrangement s are illustrated, and model tests to predict the SWATH's station keep ing qualities and pitch motions in various sea states are described.