DOF Subsea Sells Geosounder

07 June 2011

Nova Scotia-based Superport Marine Services has bought the research vessel Geosounder from Norway’s DOF Subsea for an undisclosed amount.

The Panama-flagged vessel was built in 1972 in Leer, Germany. It was converted three times between 1987 and 1996, and underwent a $2 million upgrade in 2006.

Geosounder, which is 57.9 metres long and 10.2 metres wide with a depth of 6.4 metres, has lifting gear that includes an aft eight-tonne six-metre-tall A-frame, a two-tonne 10-metre hydraulic articulating crane and a 15-tonne A frame amidships.

The vessel has accommodations for 36 people.

It was delivered under its own power from Norway to Nova Scotia.

Privately held Superport plans to put Geosounder to work "promptly” on Canada’s east coast, according to Marcon International, which brokered the deal.