Viking Neptun by Javelin -1/1250 - Subsea Construction Vessel

[Javelin]

Well here we go. 

I got my first commission (sort of) for 2 small 1/1250 ships. Sort of, because I was planning to build those vessels in the future after all. I'm sort of lucky that the client requested a specific scale and simple waterline lay-out. Determining those is something that takes a lot of thinking and time in my case. 

 

1 vessel is a slightly larger version (but a much older vessel) of Scheldt River, so nothing special there. So I won't make a build log for that one.

 

The other one however is the Viking Neptun. A state-of-the-art Subsea Construction Vessel. She has (in my opinion) very sleek handsome lines, yet a strong purposeful appearance.

 

Ya'll have to thank @Glen McGuire, for it, since he convinced me to start a build log. I believe it will be a challenge worthy of a log due its accomodation that is largely integrated into its hull/bow. 

It has proven to be a head ache during planning already. 

 

As is typical for these vessels, she has a Dynamic Positioning class 3 system. This means she  can hold her position within certain weather boundaries with any defect. For class 3 that means that either an engine, thrusters or even electrical cabling can be disabled without her losing position. 

 

She started her life as a true SCV for the Norwegian Eidesvik company, installing manifolds in oilfields on the bottom of the sea/ocean. Additionally she is equipped with a cable carousel and an optional cable lay system for cable laying ops. She did those as well. 

 

About 1 year ago she was sold to marine dredging and infrastructure company DEME, to be used as a pure cable layer next to the DEME vessel Living Stone.

She received an additional carousel on deck and a dual lane cable lay system, very much like the one from Living Stone. 

This cable lay system was built in smaller modules, so I assume it will be easy to remove in case subsea construction activities would be planned.

 

For me the livery is quite difficult. I like the race-car red and yellow more than the yellow green-white livery. 

However, the client decided to go for the DEME version with full option, which means both the carousel and cable lay system on deck. 

 

You can put a lot of cable in there... She  also still has her original carousel below deck, for a total of around 12000t of cable. 

 

That's it for now. 

I've started construction, so pics will follow soon. 

 

[Glen McGuire]

59 minutes ago, Javelin said:

For me the livery is quite difficult. I like the race-car red and yellow more than the yellow green-white livery. 

I with you on that, Roel.  That first picture really grabs your attention.  But you gotta do what the customer says!

 

I love the subjects you pic for your builds, Roel.  They are always fascinating and a offer great learning experience for people like me that have no idea what these vessels do or even that they exist!  Really looking forward to this one!  

[Jim Lad]

Interesting. That looks like it will be a very complex build. Roel

 

John

[Knocklouder]

Good luck on your journey with this build, 

.

Bob M.

Edited 23 hours ago by Knocklouder

[Paul Le Wol]

Very nice Roel. Standing by.

[Keith Black]

 I'm onboard for another great project, Roel. Plus it's your first commission which makes even more exciting. Just one thing, I wanna ride the carousel!  

[Javelin]

Welcome aboard each and everyone! 

 

Keith, you can ride that carousel, pretty sure it's slow enough for you to be safe, but still get excited. 

 

As a remark, I did not write an error in the ship's name. It really is Neptun and not Neptune. 

 

In the meanwhile I've been building. I have also started building the second vessel (named Lange Wapper), since I want to do a few actions, like applying putty, building lifeboats etc. in 1 go rather than sequential. 

 

So , construction will be a sandwich of different thicknesses. First a combination for each level, then a combination of different levels in blocks.

Eventually I will wrap the whole thing in a 0.5mm outer shell, where all openings and portholes will be cut/drilled.

 

The complexity of this build lays of course in determining where the openings will be and which part of the inner blocks will be visible through the outer hull holes. 

 

Blocks going together.

For the largest openings, where the lifeboats will be located I opted for walls, to hide any seams in the stack. 

 

Those are then cut and filed flush with the surrounding surfaces. As you can see I have also mounted the aft bulkhead of the superstructure. This is only glued to the lower 2 levels. The upper levels are still dry fitted, since I need to detail those before the outer shell is placed. 

 

And a test version of the outer shell to show the concept. 

 

 

The sides of the stack are uneven and rough, those will of course be sanded flush before that outer shell goes on. 

[Keith Black]

And you're off and running, is the outer shell card?