Environmental Research Facility $($ERF$)$

The ERF is to be considered as the base platform including hull, superstructure, helideck, lifting & deployment$/$recovery appliances, integral machinery, utility craft $($housed aboard$)$ and the mooring$/$anchoring components.

ERF Location, Design & Operational Restrictions

$$ No part of the ERF, or of the ERF mooring system $($if adopted$)$ is to be located within $250$ metres of the shoreline at lowest astronomical tide $($LAT$).$

$$ A minimum under$-$keel clearance of $5\mathrm{.}0$ metres to the geologic seabed is to be ensured at all times during the installation, operation and decommissioning of the ERF.

$$ The ERF is to generate the minimal possible shadow area on the seabed and sea surface.

$$ The air draft of the ERF $($excluding meteorological masts, etc.,$)$ is to be a practical minimum.

$$ No conduits of any form are to link the ERF with the shoreline.

$$ The total plan area of seabed anchors or fixed legs$/$piles is to be a practical minimum and no single anchor or fixed$-$leg$/$pile footprint area is to exceed $5$ m$2.$

$$ The mooring system or fixed legs$/$piles are not to damage or create disturbance of the benthos other than during initial installation and during removal upon decommissioning.

$$ Operation of the ERF is to produce zero atmospheric emissions other than ventilation exhaust$-$air or operation of an emergency generator $($if fitted$)$ or emergency fire$-$pump.

$$ No effluents or solid wastes are to be discharged into the water column.

$$ Thermal energy transfer into the water column is to be minimised.

$$ Underwater radiated noise $($URN$)$ is to be minimised.

$$ The atmospheric acoustic signature of the ERF during operation is to be minimised.

$$ No erodible or chemically soluble antifouling coatings are to be used on the ERF hull, or fixed leg$/$pile supports $($whichever is adopted$).$

$$ Operation of the ERF, or those associated with the ERF, are not to disturb the interface between the overlying freshwater and the saline water $($i$.$e$.,$ the halocline$).$

ERF Required Particulars

A marine environmental research facility $($ERF$)$ that may be managed and operated by a consortium of Australian research institutions, having the following particulars, and included facilities:

$$ Accommodation capacity for $20$ science staff $($Special Personnel$).$ Chief Scientist and Deputy Chief Scientist are to be accommodated in single$-$berth cabins with other science staff accommodated in nine double$-$berth cabins. All cabins are to have ensuite bathrooms.

$$ Accommodation capacity for $10$ marine crew. All marine crew are to be accommodated in single$-$berth cabins with ensuite bathrooms.

$$ An endurance period between resupply of $30$ days.

$$ A minimum freshwater storage capacity of $200$ tonnes.

$1$ wet laboratory with a minimum deck area $($inside linings$)$ of $40$ m$2.$

$1$ dry laboratory with a minimum deck area $($inside linings$)$ of $40$ m$2.$

$2$ climate$-$controlled laboratories each with a minimum deck area $($inside linings$)$ of $15$ m$2.$

$1$ computer laboratory with a minimum deck area $($inside linings$)$ of $20$ m$2.$

$1$ science freezer space with a minimum volume $($inside linings$)$ of $12$ m$3.$

$1$ science refrigerated space with a minimum volume $($inside linings$)$ of $12$ m$3.$

$$ A dedicated medical facility as prescribed under the MLC $2006.$

$$ A hyperbaric facility containing an IHC DART & ATEL recompression chamber.

$$ A scuba cylinder recharging station accommodating a Bauer B$-$Nitrox system based on a Bauer Mariner $250-$E compressor.

$$ A helideck capable of landing an Airbus Helicopters H$145$ designed and positioned compliant with CASA CAAP $92-4(0).$

$$ Two $(2)$ utility craft each having a LOA not exceeding $12$ metres housed aboard.

$$ Ability to accommodate berthing alongside of the OSV in conditions up to a determined practical limit$.$

$$ A zero$-$emission electrical power generation$/$distribution system providing $415$V $350$ Hz$,240$V $150$ Hz and $24$V DC$.$ Additional bus$-$bar voltages may be provided if necessary.

$$ The ERF is to be compliant with any applicable NSCV Sections and either Lloyd$$s Register $($LR$)$ or American Bureau of Shipping $($ABS$)$ survey requirements.

$$ An onsite minimum service life of $20$ years $($ERF and mooring or support system$).$

ERF Mooring or Fixed$-$Support System

A mooring or fixed$-$leg or pile support arrangement for the environmental research facility $($ERF$)$ having the following characteristics:

$$ A mooring system $($if adopted$)$ is to minimise lateral displacement and motions of the ERF under environmental conditions statistically typical of the PDMR$.$ These conditions include astronomical tide ranges with probable variations due to meteorological influences accommodated.

$$ The mooring system or fixed legs$/$piles are not to damage or create disturbance of the benthos other than during initial installation and during removal upon decommissioning.

$$ The total plan area of seabed anchors or fixed legs$/$piles is to be a practical minimum and no single anchor or fixed leg$/$pile plan area $($i$.$e$.,$ footprint$)$ is to exceed $5$ m$2.$

List all the design criteria and Constraints.