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	Iolair in the Gulf of Mexico 2017
History
Name	Iolair
Owner	Cotemar, S.A. de C.V.; Iolair Offshore Pte Ltd 2002-2023; Reading & Bates (Caledonia) Ltd 2000–2002; R & B Falcon (UK) Ltd.1999–2000; Reading & Bates Drilling Co. 1995–1999; BP 1982–1995;
Operator	Cotemar, S.A. de C.V.
Port of registry	Mexico, Isla del Carmen, Campeche; Marshall Islands, Majuro; Bahamas 2001–2006; United Kingdom 1982–2001;
Builder	Lithgows Limited; Greenock, Scotland;
Laid down	5 January 1980
Launched	6 April 1981
Completed	8 August 1982
Identification	Call sign: V7IS9; DNV ID: 20495; IMO number: 7816070; MMSI number: 538002446;
Status	Operational
Notes
General characteristics
Class and type	DNV: 1A1 column-stabilised unit; DYNPOS-AUTR
Tonnage	15,765 GT; 4,746 NT
Length	102 m (335 ft)
Beam	76.5 m (251 ft)
Draught	15.25 m (50.0 ft)
Installed power	20,970kW
Propulsion	Diesel-electric 6 x 5 Wartsila 7L32 x 3490 kW each; 4 × electric motors of 3000 shp each, driving 2 propellers; 1 MAN-Harland & Wolf 18ASV25/30 3520 kW;
Speed	12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Crew	51
Notes

Iolair (Gaelic for eagle) is a specialised semi-submersible offshore platform designed for BP to support and service oil platforms in the North Sea and served as an emergency support vessel (ESV) in the Forties Oil Field. Since 2000 it has been working in the Cantarell Field, Mexico as an offshore construction and maintenance service vessel operated by Cotemar S.A de C.V.^[2]

Particulars

Iolair is a self-propelled, twin hull, vessel and operates as a dynamically positioned (DP) construction support vessel. The vessel can operate up to a water depth of 488 metres (1,601 ft), is 102 metres (335 ft) long and 51 metres (167 ft) wide, and has 350 beds with single and double occupancy.

This unique vessel did not start as an ESV, but rather as the concept of a maintenance and support vessel (MSV). It was proposed for the Forties oil field, jointly owned by British National Oil Corporation and operated by BP Petroleum Development Company Ltd in the North Sea. A particular feature of the design by the Naval Architects was that there was no cross-bracing between the pontoons. Instead, the platform was given extra strength by a box-girder construction and diagonal bracing was arranged from the centre of the platform to the pontoons. This arrangement remained virtually unchanged to the build completion and offered exceptional speed when the vessel was de-ballasted on the surface. The intention was to achieve a rapid response to emergencies, wherever they might be experienced in the North Sea.

As an MSV, the vessel was always conceived to provide accommodation for about 220 persons, saturation diving facilities, a large workshop, craneage, and helicopter landing area with hangar and re-fueling. All were still featured in the eventual design but had been enhanced with other features and sophistication much of which was to support the emergency role. ESV incorporated novelty and ideas that were years ahead of their time. Indeed, part of the brief was that she should still be modern ten years after entering service.

The saturation diving system was equipped with an advanced launch and recovery system.^[3]

History

Iolair under construction at Scott Lithgow

Designed by Victor Griffin Carrell and Eric Tim's for BP. She was built by Scott Lithgow in Port Glasgow, and launched on 6 April 1981.^[4] In her early years, she was based in the BP Forties Oil Field.

In 1995, she was sold to U.S. drilling company Reading & Bates. She was to be converted to a workover/well intervention vessel and was stationed West of Shetland. The modifications included removal of some of the top structures, removal of the fire-fighting systems, closing of the dive tube and wave surge tank. However the intended conversion was never carried out and she was heavily involved in the installation of subsea production equipment using Remote Operated Vehicles. She was also heavily involved in the commissioning of the Foinaven and Schiehallion floating production vessels.

In 2000 she left the UK oilfields and went to the Bay of Campeche, Mexico, working in the Cantarell Field. There she carries out construction and platform support work. She was sold in 2001 by Transocean, who had taken over Reading and Bates, then sold to Exeter Marine Ltd. and since 2017 is owned by Iolair Offshore Pte Ltd.^[5] and registered in the Marshall Islands, a long way from her original registered port of Dundee in Scotland.^[1]

Industry firsts

Heave/swell compensation in the diving tube to enable operation in rougher weather.
A Citadel area to which people could retire and survive if the vessel was engulfed in gas.
A drenching system to cool exterior surfaces if the vessel was close to a burning platform.
The largest capacity and longest range firefighting monitors ever at sea.
Fixed water-cannon on the after columns to cool the underside of production platforms.

Iolair is assured of its place in history by being the subject of a 28p commemorative stamp issued by Post Office Ltd. on 25 May 1983. This was one of a series of three stamps celebrating British Engineering Achievements.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Iolair (20495)". Vessel Register for DNV. DNV. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
^ "Products & services – Cotemar". cotemar.com.mx. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
^ Vassalos, D.; Dutta, D.; Macgregor, P. (2–5 May 1988). An Investigation Into The Dynamics Of The Esv Iolair Wet-Diving Bell During Launch And Recovery. Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas. p. OTC 5705-MS. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
^ "Iolair (24659)". Scottish Built Ships database. Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
^ "Super Marine Holdings". www.supermarine.sg. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
^ "Engineering Achievements". The British Postal Museum and Archive. February 2006. Retrieved 11 June 2010.