History and ownership
Delivered in 2009 as Far Samson for Farstad Shipping, the Normand Samson Vessel was renamed under Solstad Offshore management.
Renowned for its record-breaking 423-tonne bollard pull, jobs include trenching for the Nord Stream pipeline and supporting Neptune Energy’s Duva field subsea installation.
Technical details
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LOA: 121.5 metres
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Width (beam): 26 metres
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Deadweight: 9,000 tonnes
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Draught: 8.5 metres
Equipped with a 35,900 BHP hybrid propulsion system and DP3 dynamic positioning, this Normand Samson vessel features a 1,450 m² cargo deck, 250t active heave-compensated crane, 315t A-frame, moonpool, and specialised subsea trenching ploughs.
Operational area
Operating globally across the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and South American coastlines, assignments focus on deepwater pipeline trenching, subsea infrastructure installation, and cable-laying operations.
Crew and lifestyle
Accommodating 100 personnel in COMF-V(3) living quarters, onboard roles range from DP operators to ROV technicians. Crew reviews of the Normand Samson highlight safety procedures, while securing jobs on the Normand Samson requires STCW certifications.
Environmental initiatives
Built to DNV Clean Design standards, the vessel uses catalytic converters, onboard waste reduction systems, and fuel-efficient hybrid propulsion to minimise environmental impact.