A NEW state-of-the-art ship used in rugged offshore oil and gas drilling operations made a brief visit to the Far North yesterday.

The 107m Skandi Singapore stopped about five nautical miles off Yorkeys Knob for a brief crew changeover on its way to New Zealand.

The dive support vessel, launched in 2011, boasts saturation and air diving systems, two remote-operated vehicles, a helideck and accommodation for 100 people.

It is now on its way to New Zealand's Taranaki Basinwhere it will be used for oil and gas inspection and maintenance work.

OF Subsea general manager of commercial Michael Rosichsaid the ship was highly sought-after for its ability to withstand the type of harsh weather conditions typically found off the New Zealand coast.

"A vessel like the Skandi Singapore is ideal because it's weather workability characteristics are exceptional," he said.

"You can throw all sorts of wind and weather at it and it doesn't move around a lot. When you're trying to work on the seabed a stable platform is extremely important."

Australian Reef Pilots was tasked with transferring 30 new crew on to the vessel and returning 18 back to shore, in an operation that took about three hours yesterday morning.

The new crew members plan to use the trip to New Zealand to familiarise themselves with the vessel.

ARP general manager of business development Alan Maffinasaid it was a "fairly unusual exercise" and required two boats to transport the new crew members.

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