THE NEW

GENERATION
OF HIGH-SPEED
VESSELS
DESIGNED TO SERVE THE ENERGY INDUSTRY

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 THE NEW GENERATION OF HIGH-SPEED VESSELS

With ultra deepwater oil fields The company was created to

becoming increasingly distant from
the coast, it is clear that the
so-called conventional crew boats
are struggling to meet the growing
needs of the Oil & Gas industry.
It became necessary to improve the
speed, autonomy, and comfort of
these crew boats, without neglecting
safety or increasing operating costs.
develop, promote, build and market
the new generation of crew boats,
specifically designed for the Energy
sector.
AIRCAT® series of vessels are using
the technology of Surface Effect
Ships (SES). They are AIR-cushioned
CATamarans.

Eager to provide a solution to

current market needs, AIRCAT
VESSELS Ltd. was founded by
marine industry professionals who
have decades of experience
operating in the Oil & Gas industry.

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WHY THE SURFACE

EFFECT SHIPS (SES)
TECHNOLOGY ?
Existing technologies, such as partial aerodynamic
lift, Ekranoplan, and even foils (particularly popular
in nautical competitions), offer undeniable and
exceptional performance in speed and fuel economy,
but also have many limitations that put them at a
disadvantage when used in the energy industry.
Factors such as reliability, robustness of propulsion,
operating range, stability in rough seas, safety and
comfort during both navigation and transfers of
passengers, and the ability to carry urgent cargo, are
all important criteria that must be met.

Air-cushioned catamarans are the answer. Other

industries such as offshore wind turbine, passenger
ferry, or even the Navy have already adopted this
technology which was developed for the first time in
the 60s. This is why adapting this technology to the Oil
& Gas sector is more a revolution than an innovation.

Meanwhile, the novelty is the increased reliability of

all of the parts, devices, and electronic components
which now make these vessels far superior to those
developed in years past.

AIRCAT VESSELS Ltd. has partnered with ESNA to

conceive our vessels. ESNA is operated by the most
advanced naval architects who seek to utilize their
vast SES experience to focus on continuous
improvement and technology development of surface
effect vessels. They have developed the simplest,
most robust, and reliable air-cushion system in the
market. The combination of ESNA’s unique SES
expertise and AIRCAT VESSELS’ insight on
operational needs for the Oil & Gas sector gave birth
to the new generation of crew boats designed to serve
the energy industry.

The AIRCAT® series of vessels are faster, safer, more

comfortable and economical than any other crew
boat.

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PRINCIPLE
The AIRCAT® is a Surface Effect Ship (SES) which has both an air cushion, like a hovercraft, and twin hulls, like
a catamaran.

Air is projected between the two hulls of a catamaran. This air forms an air cushion surrounded by the hulls on
each side, a soft rubber skirt at the bow, and an inflatable bag at the stern.

WHEN THE AIR CUSHION IS TURNED OFF, WHEN THE AIR CUSHION IS IN USE, ONLY
THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE VESSEL IS A SMALL PORTION OF THE TWIN HULLS
SUPPORTED BY THE BUOYANCY OF THE REMAIN IN THE WATER.
TWIN HULLS.

Off-cushion On-cushion

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IMMERGED VOLUME REDUCES UP TO 80% WHEN AIR CUSHION IS IN USE. WATERJETS

ARE UTILIZED FOR PROPULSION SINCE THE INLET NOZZLES ARE ALWAYS COVERED BY
WATER.

Off-cushion On-cushion

The air cushion is at maximum pressure during transit, resulting in a significant reduction in draft and
subsequently a decrease in water resistance and frictional forces when the boat is in motion. With a pressure
that is 10% greater than the air-cushion pressure, the inflatable bag at the stern ensures sufficient air-cushion
sealing.

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TRANSIT SPEED
THE AIR CUSHION ACTS AS A SHOCK ABSORBER AND IMPROVES COMFORT WHEN
SAILING AT HIGH SPEED.

THE MAIN ADVANTAGES ARE NUMEROUS :

Higher speed to Reduced fuel oil Air cushion comfort - Reduced wave effect
power ratio consumption the air cushion acts on vessel motion
as a shock absorber

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MAINTAINING POSITION
DURING TRANSFERS
In order for the vessel to maintain its position during transfers, the air cushion pressure is regulated creating
an active motion damping. The main advantages are unparalleled safety during passenger transfer and
increased comfort. If required, the draft is also adjustable.

AIR-CUSHION PRESSURE CONTROLS AN ACTIVE MOTION DAMPING BEHAVIOR.

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 THE NEW GENERATION OF HIGH-SPEED VESSELS

The exceptional active

motion damping capabilities
of the SES guarantees
unparalleled conditions of
safety and comfort while
using of all possible types of
transfers offshore:

Boat landings
Stretchers
Personnel baskets &
Capsules
Cargo baskets
Etc.

SPECIFICS OF OUR VESSELS

SIMPLE CONCEPT FOR A BETTER EFFICIENCY

Commonly used marine building materials (Aluminum)
True 'Plug & Play' capabilities (less than 24 hours required to replace main engine without dry-docking)
Designed to use off-the-shelf equipment

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IMPROVED RELIABILITY
Machinery redundancy
Fuel purifying system with triple filtering
Increased cooling capacity
Anti-sea growth system
Wide range of operating conditions (i.e., climate, wave height, etc.)

OPERATIONAL FRIENDLINESS
Large deck to accept various types of baskets for personnel transfers and cargo
Bow designed for boat landing access (wide and flat – no stairs)
Waterjet system with station-keeping mode to increase stability during cargo transfers
User-friendly controls
Optional DP2 (dynamic positioning)

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COMFORT
Active air cushion motion damping
Resiliently mounted cabins
Increased A/C capacity
Large Business Class seats
Entertainment systems (i.e., large screen TVs, Internet through WiFi, video on demand system, etc.)

ENVIRONMENT
Lower carbon footprint due to lower fuel consumption
Engines are IMO tier-II compliant with possibility to upgrade to IMO tier-III

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IN A FEW WORDS, OUR VESSELS ARE:

SAFER FASTER MORE MORE

COMFORTABLE ECONOMICAL

During all kinds of
passenger and cargo
transfers, thanks to the
exceptional active
motion damping
capabilities of the SES
Thanks to the In transit speed, the air
air-cushion which cushion acts as a
reduces draft and shock absorber that
consequently hull reduces vessel motions
resistance
When stationary, the
regulated pressure of
the air cushion creates
active motion damping
Speed to power ratio
being increased, the
fuel consumption per
Nautical Mille is
generally reduced by at
least 30%
The ‘Plug & Play’
capabilities make the
maintenance easier,
faster and cheaper

… THAN ANY OTHER PASSENGER VESSEL

OTHER PRODUCTS & SERVICES

EQUIPMENT
We provide all the S.E.S. equipment and systems necessary for the air cushion, including control units and
software, lifting systems, valves and all spare parts.

PACKAGES
We offer service packages, including support and assistance during sea trials, initial operations at sea, training
of both pilots and maintenance personnel, monitoring of the SES system and various updates, troubleshooting,
etc.

We also handle preventive maintenance and repair of units in operation for our customers who wish to
outsource this service.

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AIRCAT VESSELS Ltd.
Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island,
Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Reg. No. 100813
info@aircat-vessels.com

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