UT 704 is a combined tug and anchor handling vessel. The new design
was warmly received for its seaworthiness and its large capacity
in relation to the tonnage requirements of 30 years ago. The ship
had a gross tonnage (grt)of 499 tonnes, which was a crucial factor
in keeping the vessel competitive. The UT 704's hull is still one
of the best around, and it remains the most frequently supplied
ship designs offshore (91 vessels built). Stad Scotsman was
the first ship ordered with this design. Farstad (Stad Seaforth
Shipping) ordered the first three Norwegian-built UT-Design ships.
Orders for UT 704s poured in from day one. The vessel had a top
speed of 17 knots with 2 x 3660 hp main engines and a bullard poll
of 80 tonnes.
UT 705 was designed at the same time as the UT 704. It was a multi-purpose
vessel which could accommodate four lengths of pipe on its deck,
and carry more than its own weight in cargo. UT 705 was designed
it close cooperation with Wilhelmsen Offshore Services and this
company built the first five UT 705s.
UT 706 was built as a smaller version of the UT 705. The
skipper of the Active Duke reported being able to use 100 per cent
of its cargo-carrying capacity. Active Duke was built for Hagenæs
& Co, and was the first of a total of 10 ships of this design.
It was also the first Norwegian-designed ship to be contracted for
in India, in 1980.
UT 708 was equipped with engines from Bergen Diesel, which
has since supplied engines to most UT-Design ships. Rolls-Royce
quickly developed an equipment package for the UT-Design, which
it designed and built itself. Four ice-reinforced ships of this
type were built by the Hyundai shipyard. The UT 708 ships have kept
their secondhand value well, and are still sought after today.
During the 1980s three specialised UT 707 vessels were built:
a safety ship destined for the UK, and two diving vessels destined
for India. The UT 707 had an engine output of 17,000 hp, just seven
years after the UT 704 was built with an output of 7040 hp.
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