Gas engine for Dutch ferry completes performance tests

The Dutch ferryThe first two pre-production units of a Rolls-Royce mobile MTU gas engine for Rederij Doeksen have completed performance tests. The engines, which will be used for Rederij Doeksen’s Wadden Sea ferries service in The Netherlands, have completed over 5,000 hours on the test bench.

Paul Melles, managing director of Rederij Doeksen, said: “We are very happy with the test run. All the key engine parameters, such as the extremely dynamic acceleration behaviour, have now been verified by MTU.”

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Report into the total loss of tug Thomas Dann published

Thomas Dann tug (Dann Ocean Towing). Photo credit: Birk Thomas
Thomas Dann tug (Dann Ocean Towing). Photo credit: Birk Thomas

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an accident report about the outbreak of fire onboard the towing vessel Thomas Dann that led to a constructive total loss.

The incident
On July 22, 2016, at 1700 local time, a fire broke out in the upper engine room aboard the towing vessel Thomas Dann while it was engaged in towing operations offshore near St. Augustine, Florida, en route to Cape Canaveral, Florida. No one was injured, nor was any pollution reported. However, due to the extent of the fire damage, the vessel, which was valued at an estimated $2.5 million, was declared a constructive total loss.

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World’s first electric aquaculture support vessel powered by PBES

Powered by PBES, the Elfrida is the world's first electric aquaculture support vessel
Powered by PBES, the Elfrida is the world’s first electric aquaculture support vessel

Plan B Energy Storage (PBES) has announced a milestone project in the aquaculture industry. The award of the contract for energy storage aboard the electric fish farm vessel Elfrida underscores the ongoing trend toward adoption of green technology in Norway.

“We see this as crucial preparation for a low-carbon future,” says Roger Bekken, Managing Director of Salmar, the vessel’s owner and leading Norwegian aquaculture company. “In keeping with our forward thinking management, and focus on operational efficiency, adding battery technology to our vessels brings cost savings and environmental stewardship together in one package.”

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Salmon processing and transportation vessel set to be the world’s first with a hybrid battery solution

New salmon processing and transportation vessel for Hav Line AS, Norway, is the world’s first of its kind with a hybrid/battery solution
New salmon processing and transportation vessel for Hav Line AS, Norway, is the world’s first of its kind with a hybrid/battery solution

Technology group Wärtsilä has been contracted to deliver the ship design for a new processing and transportation vessel to be built at the Balenciaga shipyard in Spain on behalf of Hav Line AS of Norway. In addition to the design, Wärtsilä will also supply an integrated solution comprising a 10-cylinder Wärtsilä 31 main engine, auxiliary engines, propulsion machinery, the propulsion remote control system, and the electrical & automation system. The delivery of the Wärtsilä solutions will be during autumn 2017 and the vessel is scheduled for delivery in summer 2018.

Notable environmental gains are made possible by a Wärtsilä hybrid propulsion solution supported by batteries, which results in very low emission levels. This is the world’s first processing and transportation vessel for the fish farming industry to utilise this solution. By absorbing most of the engine’s load fluctuations and vessel load variations through batteries, the engines can be operated close to its optimum design point, thereby providing the highest level of efficiency, which in turn minimises the exhaust emissions. Continue reading “Salmon processing and transportation vessel set to be the world’s first with a hybrid battery solution”

Rolls-Royce MTU engines power new Harbour tugs with 90 tonnes of bollard pull

Impression of the new Harbour tug to be powered by Rolls-Royce MTU engines. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce
Impression of the new Harbour tug to be powered by Rolls-Royce MTU engines. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce and Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey have signed a contract for the delivery of eight MTU engines 4000 engines Series 4000 for four new terminal tugs, including an option for a further four engines. The tugs will each be fitted with two 16V 4000 M73L MTU engines, each delivering an output of 2,700 kW (at 1,850 rpm). The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

Ali Gürün, Projects Director of Sanmar Shipyards, commented: “We were impressed by MTU’s technical support, the service and the reliability of the MTU engines, which is why we will also be equipping our new Robert Allen/ Rastar 2900sx tugs with MTU engines.” Sanmar and MTU have been working closely together since 2009.

Continue reading “Rolls-Royce MTU engines power new Harbour tugs with 90 tonnes of bollard pull”

Effectiveness of lifejackets called into question by MAIB report on the foundering of fishing vessel Louisa

Photograph of Louisa recovery
Photograph of Louisa recovery

Early on 9 April 2016, the fishing vessel Louisa foundered, with the loss of three lives, while anchored close to the shore in Mingulay Bay in the Outer Hebrides.

The skipper and crew, who had been working long hours before anchoring late the previous evening, had woken suddenly as the vessel was sinking rapidly by the bow. They were able to escape to the aft deck, activate the emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), and to don lifejackets. However, they were unable to inflate the liferaft as they abandoned the vessel.

Continue reading “Effectiveness of lifejackets called into question by MAIB report on the foundering of fishing vessel Louisa”

USCG announces Subchapter M for towing vessels now opertational

USCg YachtThe US Coast Guard has confirmed that from 20 July 2017 a portion of Subchapter M is now fully operational for towing vessels with keels laid, or major conversions on or after July 20. These vessels are now required to meet 46 CFR Subchapter M and must obtain a Certificate of Inspection (COI) prior to operating.

Additionally, starting July 20, 2018, a portion of existing towing vessels will have one year to meet all of Subchapter M and obtain COIs. As discussed in Subchapter M, owners or managing operators of more than one existing towing vessel, required to have a COI, must ensure that each existing towing vessel under their ownership or control is issued a valid COI, according to the following schedule:
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MAIB publishes report into grounding and evacuation of domestic passenger vessel Surprise

A tug boat surrounded by lifeboats
Photo credit: Mark Harcum

Summary of the incident
At 1135 on 15 May 2016, the passenger vessel Surprise suffered hull damage and started flooding when it grounded at Western Rocks, Isles of Scilly. All 48 passengers were safely evacuated to shore. The flooding was contained by the passenger vessel Surprise,  own bilge pumps and it returned to harbour under its own power.

Resulting safety issues
A passage plan had not been prepared for the trip. Passage planning is essential for every voyage to ensure all navigational hazards are identified and avoided.
Continue reading “MAIB publishes report into grounding and evacuation of domestic passenger vessel Surprise”

The world’s first fully electric air supported vessel picks up the award for the electric and hybrid propulsion system of the year

BB Green is the world's first fully air supported vessel
BB Green is the world’s first fully air supported vessel

BB Green, the world’s first fully electric air supported vessel by Green City Ferries has been awarded the ‘electric and hybrid propulsion system of the year’ at the Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo Conference 2017 in the Netherlands.

The fourth annual Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards took place in Amsterdam where a judging panel made up of leading international marine journalists, industry experts and academics, honoured the world’s finest engineers and innovative products in the electric and hybrid marine arena. The BB Green is used as a commuter ferry for up to 99 passengers on the inland waterways around Stockholm.

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Rolls-Royce and Svitzer demonstrate the world’s first remotely operated commercial vessel

 The world's first remotely operated commercial vessel has been demonstrated by Rolls-Royce and Svitzer
The world’s first remotely operated commercial vessel has been demonstrated by Rolls-Royce and Svitzer

Rolls-Royce and global towage operator Svitzer have successfully demonstrated the world’s first remotely operated commercial vessel in Copenhagen harbour, Denmark. The companies have also signed an agreement to continue their cooperation to test remote and autonomous operations for vessels, such as autonomous navigation, situational awareness, remote control centre and communication.

Earlier this year, one of Svitzer´s tugs, the 28m long Svitzer Hermod, safely conducted a number of remotely controlled manoeuvres, RR informed. From the quay side in Copenhagen harbour the vessel’s captain, stationed at the vessel’s remote base at Svitzer headquarters, berthed the vessel alongside the quay, undocked, turned 360°, and piloted it to the Svitzer HQ, before docking again.

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New CTV unveiled by Umoe Mandal

The new Wavecraft CTV  from Norwegian firm Umoe Mandal
The new Wavecraft CTV from Norwegian firm Umoe Mandal

Umoe Mandal in Norway has unveiled a new design, the Wavecraft, a series of high-speed, all-composite service vessels designed for fast crew transport. The company says the high-speed craft offers offshore operators “a long range economical, commercially feasible and safe alternative to helicopters.”

The company says the Wavecraft “delivers substantially Continue reading “New CTV unveiled by Umoe Mandal”

VEKA Group set to build the world’s first hybrid trimaran for transporting personnel offshore

VEKA Group set to build the world's first hybrid trimaran workboat
VEKA Group set to build the world’s first hybrid trimaran workboat

Workers on drilling rigs and offshore wind farms can hopefully look forward to a more pleasant commute to work with considerably lower risk of seasickness thanks to a special, innovative ship built by VEKA Group. VEKA will be building two trimarans intended specifically for transporting personnel and freight to offshore wind farms. These are the first hybrid trimarans in the world. Transporting offshore personnel takes place mainly by catamaran. These will be VEKA’s first trimarans.

Most of the innovations are intended to make the so-called workboat more stable and more comfortable, thereby reducing the risk of seasickness. For example, the ships have lower windows than is customary, so that the passengers have a better view. The third bow is designed to ensure additional stability and comfort. There are also innovative stabilisers built into the hull.

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