| Summary: | The need to explore designs and arrangement configurations that will enhance operational flexibility and sustainability of the DSVs, without jeopardizing their operational efficiency and lifecycle costs (LCC) was crucial in the present study because of the uncertainties inherent in the mapping of the purpose built DSVs for long duration contracts and anticipated depletion in future offshore development projects across the globe. Three design concepts that focused on arrangement of the mission equipment of the DSVs were proposed and developed using system based design approach and design standards for North Seas operation. The designs were evaluated towards five key performance indicators using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The study found that a DSV with top side modular design for SAT diving system would be flexible and sustainable to operate, while maintaining efficiency and reduced LCC compared to designs that have either their ROV equipment and air diving system or only ROV equipment in standard container modules. The assumptions made about downtime cost influenced this conclusion. However, sensitivity analysis confirms that in the absence of downtime cost, the design concepts which had either ROV equipment and air diving system or only ROV equipment in standard container modules were cost efficient compared to the one with top side modular design for SAT diving system. The targeted markets for the design concepts were the North Sea and Offshore West Africa, and the designs have the capability to operate in both markets.
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