The VS476 Maersk Champion out in Brazil. Photo Tony Poll

The VS476 is obviously derived from the earlier anchor-handlers designed by Vik-Sandvik. Back in the mid 1980 when these ships entered service they were favoured for their very large deck area - at the time, and often went to work as platform ships. Four vessels were constructed by Orskov, and very early in their career were bareboated by OIL, but once the contract period was over they were bought by Maersk and are probably all still working (2016). 

TYPE: VS 476 NAME: Maersk Chancellor PHOTO: George Craigen GENERAL PROPULSION DECK EQUIP Length OA 76.4 m Engines 4 x B&W Alpha Workdrum pull 300t Breadth 17.61 m BHP 14400 Capacity 1 1200m x 74mm DWT 2440 t kW 10600 Capacity 2   Deck area 633 m2 For'd Thruster 2 x 1200 bhp Towdrum pull 350t Fuel 1398 m3 Az Thruster   Capacity 1 1400m x 64mm Pot water 508 m3 Aft Thrusters 1 x 1200 bhp Capacity 2 1400m x 64mm Mud 618 m3 Bollard pull 160 tonnes Sharks Jaw   Base oil 213 m3 DP   Cranes   Brine 619 m3 Joystick Robertson Tank Cleaning None Dry bulk 284m3 Year built 1986 Shipyard Orskov Former Names Kingshav, Oil Chancellor Comments These vessels were all built at Orskov and spent some time bareboated to OIL, but at the end of the contract period they were purchased by Maersk.