The design of the OYA (hull No. 057) was executed by the same naval architecture office in Madrid, as for the previous two vessels SARDIS and SMYRNA. These two ships were taken as a prototype, however important modifications and improvements were made. The first steel cutting in the Gelibolu Shipyard, Gelibolu (Gallipoli), Turkey took place on 24.08.2013, the hull was launched on 11.10.2014 and the delivery to ABCmaritime, Nyon, Switzerland was on 28.04.2015. The OYA sails under the flag of St. Vincent & The Grenadines with home port Kingstown (registered owner: Oya Shipping Ltd. Kingstown, call sign: J8B5225).
The most important improvement is the diesel-electric propulsion, combined with a dynamic positioning system (DP-2). Thanks to the development of electronics, it is today possible to keep a ship in a position within centimeters, using the two azimuth thrusters*) on the stern and the two bow thrusters, controlled by a computer. Diesel-electric drive means no dedicated main engine is provided, but a power station with 4 strong diesel generators, supplying electricity to the motors of the two azimuth thrusters, the bow thrusters and all other electrical consumers of the vessel. A soft nose bulbous bow has replaced the conventional bow and the 4-point mooring system was removed. A towing winch of 40 mt pull and a deck crane from Palfinger are fitted.
The ship offers accommodation for a total of 35 persons, the crew normally consists of 12 men, but depending on her employment this may be increased to 15 crew members. The remaining places are for the oil workers.
With the current low crude oil prices the employment situation in the oil industry has deteriorated massively during the last year and the OYA remained without work, laid-up in the builder's yard until January 2016. After finally a charter was found, the OYA sailed on 16.01.2016 from Gelibolu with the course set to Port Gentil, Gabon, calling shortly at Gibraltar.
*) Contrary to the customary propellers, the azimuth thruster can turn by 360°, in addition the installed model has a CP-propeller, meaning to go quickly astern it does not need to turn by 180°.
This system does not require any rudders and steering gear.
SwissShips, HPS, January 2016
Sold on 08.19.2020 to Oya Maritime Ltd., Majuro and registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands. The management remains unchanged. Official number: 9069, new callsign V7A4270.
Handed over to Mainport Seismic Support Ltd (Management: Mainport International Corp, Cork, Ireland) in Cork on January 30th, 2021 and renamed MAINPORT GEO. The flag remains unchanged.
Additional Information and Stories
The Oil Town of Port Gentil
The vessels of Nautilus-Line and Schweizerische Reederei (Swiss Shipping Company) used to call in the small town of Port Gentil. However at these times discharging and loading was conducted on the roads, the deep water harbour was only constructed in the seventies
This town with about 120'000 inhabitants lives from oil and lumbering. When we are enjoying low gasoline prices, Port Gentil badly suffers from the low crude oil prices. Total and other oil companies reduce their expenditure for maintenance and new developments to a minimum, supply companies shut down, but also other enterprises, like small trade business and restaurants starve and many people, expats and locals become redundant.
The port of Port Gentil shortly before completion in the seventies. It is situated outside the town, towards Cape Lopez. The cleared area in the back, today is completely built-up with industrial-, office- and other commercial properties. In the far back, the unprotected beach, facing to the South, called the "Côte Sauvage".
SwissShips, HPS, January 2016