December 12 - DYT Yacht Transport's semi-submersible vessel Yacht Express has shipped the 126 ft (38.4 m) research vessel Ocearch from Port Everglades to Brisbane in Australia.

Ocearch, which is powered by two Cat engines and three Cat generators, features an at-sea laboratory and custom-built 75,000-lb (34-tonne) capacity research platform that can lift a 5,000-lb (2.2-tonne) shark along with a team of scientists and crew.

The research vessel was floated onto Yacht Express, taking its place among other large yachts along the starboard side of the ship's huge dock bay. To secure Ocearch, keel blocks were laid out on the semi-submersible vessel's dry deck first, with stanchions and sea stands moved into place alongside.

Yacht Express was then ballasted, submerging the dock bay so it could be flooded with sea water, while Ocearch was motored into its pre-determined location and tied off.

Deballasting began when all yachts were onboard, essentially lifting the dock bay of Yacht Express while divers ensured that Ocearch and the other yacht cargo were positioned accurately. When the operation was completed and the deck was dry, the sea stanchions were secured, and the cargo was ready for its oceanic voyage.

The non-profit organisation Ocearch enables unprecedented research on great white sharks and other large apex predators in an effort to accelerate global fisheries recovery.

"If we were to drive the vessel to Australia ourselves, it would take us 60 days and our people and equipment would be totally taxed," said Chris Fischer, founder and expedition leader of Ocearch. "DYT is helping the ocean recover faster, and that is critical if we want to successfully accomplish our mission."

 

 

www.yacht-transport.com

www.ocearch.org

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