The five new vessels are intended to replace the well known but aging patrol vessels Havendiendienst 2, 11, 13, 15 and 17, and will be used to protect shipping and riverside facilities throughout the Rotterdam port area against fire, pollution and other hazards. Four of the vessels, designated IBV 2808 by Damen, will be of the same design and one further vessel (an IBV 3108) will have the same equipment but will be longer and capable of operating to the seaward and offshore limits of the port.

RPA 12 represents an important new product for Damen Shipyards.

This new class of vessel is specially equipped for patrol, inspection, fire fighting and pollution control duties while meeting rigorous standards of safety for the craft and crew while operating under hazardous conditions.

Classed by Lloyds Register of Shipping; + A1 SSC G1 LMC, the hull is specially strengthened to operate in RIZA (code R) ice conditions, and meets the requirements of the Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate and ADNR regulations for vessels operating in close proximity to ships loading or discharging hazardous cargoes. Important features of the design include, the ability to operate with a crew of three for long periods while patrolling at very low speeds, a hull form that minimises wash and wave generation, the ability to act as an emergency command centre and bring into operation an impressive array of fire fighting equipment.

RPA 12 is a vessel of 28.82m in length, with a beam of 8.22m, and draft (aft) of 2.55m. A round bilge hull form was chosen and strengthened where necessary, with a combined longitudinal and transverse framing system, to operate in ice on the inland waterways. The hull form and twin screw propulsion system is designed to afford excellent handling characteristics and minimise wave propagation whilst executing patrol duties, often at very low speeds. Fendering is applied to the hull to minimise damage and fire risk when going alongside other vessels in areas where hazardous cargoes are being handled. A recessed rescue/boarding platform is fitted on the starboard side, just above the waterline.

Two Caterpillar 3412E TA electronically controlled main engines, producing a total of 970kW (1318bhp), are each coupled to a Reinjes LAF 562 gearbox with a 5.05:1 reduction.

Power is transmitted to LIPS controllable pitch propellers of 16000mm diameter. A pair of 'high lift' spade rudders, designed by Damen, are fitted with active flaps on the trailing edge. This propulsion system gives the vessel a maximum speed of 13.3 knots and a bollard pull of 15 tonnes.

Manoeuvrability is enhanced by a Schottel bow thruster, rated at 200kW. A manoeuvring and Dynamic Positioning system manufactured by Simrad-Robertson enables the vessel to maintain station within very fine limits, using inputs from the vessel's DGPS, with integrated control of the propellers, rudders and bowthruster. To meet the owners specification the vessel must be capable of moving sideways against a Force 9 wind and be able to maintain station within one ships length while fire fighting.

The port and starboard main propulsion gearboxes each drive hydraulic pumps to power the steering gear, deck machinery and fire fighting mast/crane.

Electrical power is provided by two 63 kVA generating sets powered by Caterpillar 3304B NA engines, located in sound proofed housings within the main engineroom. Exhaust gases from main engines and generators are routed through silencers in the steering gear compartment to outlets in the transom stern. When the vessel is operating in hazardous conditions the exhaust gases are cooled by a water-spray system.

The fire fighting system aboard RPA 12 is powered by two Caterpillar 3406 diesels, each producing 448kW (609bhp) at 2100rev/minute, and coupled to Nijhuis HGTF 1-250 fire pumps. Each pump is capable of supplying 900cu/metres of water per hour. Large diameter fire mains distribute the flow of water to three monitors delivering 450cu/metres/hour, two on the superstructure and one on the fire mast, and one monitor of 900cu/metres/hour aft of the wheelhouse.

The combined fire mast and crane is capable of raising the masthead fire monitor to a maximum height of 16.5m.

Manufactured by Hilton, the hydraulically operated mast can be used as a crane capable of lifting 300kg at a radius of 8.30m or 1500kg at 4.30m.

Output from the fire pumps can also be directed to outlet manifolds located in lockers in various positions around the deck, to enable fire hoses to be connected in a convenient manner. Each locker, and the adjacent deck, is heated to prevent freezing when operating in extremely low temperatures.

Also housed in lockers, on both sides of the vessel, are small powered hose reels for immediate use when attending small fires.

A self-protection water spray system is also provided, with nozzles located around the bridge deck handrails. High capacity deck connections are also available to enable the vessel to participate in fire fighting operations ashore or act as a 'pumping station' in a major emergency.

A comprehensively equipped fire fighting store is situated in the superstructure. Also located in the fire fighting store is a compressed air system to provide breathing air to crew members throughout the vessel via 'plug in' masks. Access to the fire fighting store can be gained from the main deck via specially designed doors, with sufficient width to allow large pieces of equipment to be man-handled easily.

Other emergency equipment carried includes a small, fast, workboat constructed from heavy duty polyethylene. . .

. . The boat is powered by a 27hp diesel outboard motor and has a maximum speed of 20 knots. Up to 100m of floating, absorbent, boom is stowed in the forepeak to deal with minor cases of oil pollution.

RPA 12 is equipped with a single 'high holding power' anchor, handled by a combined anchor winch and capstan on the foredeck capable of producing a pull of 360 kg. The anchor winch incorporates a single vertical shaft and warping drum and the drive mechanism is located below deck level. An access ladder is provided over the forward bulwarks and portions of the deck are heated to provide an ice-free walkway in very cold weather. A Mampaey, quick release tow hook is situated aft for use in emergencies and the after deck rail is strengthened to act as a protective tow-beam.

The interior layout of the wheelhouse aboard RPA 12, and its sister-ships, was determined after considerable consultation with the Rotterdam Port Authority.

Virtually all aspects of the operation and control in this new patrol and response vessel are operated from the 'command centre' styled wheelhouse, via computer control systems. Three consoles are provided in the wheelhouse, from which the captain can navigate the vessel;

one located on each side at the front facing forward and one located centrally at the stern.

Controls for the main engines, propellers, steering and bow-thruster are situated at each console. In addition there is a TFT visual display screen and keyboard for the 'Praxis' computer based automation system at each control position.

An additional Praxis terminal is located centrally between the two forward control positions to enable other functions, such as the fire fighting system to be controlled by another crew member.

The Praxis system is used to remotely control and/or monitor the all of the vessel's systems using a series of dedicated pages on the TFT screens. The screens are operated via a simplified keyboard, with a tracker- ball and buttons to control the on-screen cursor. Dedicated pages containing mimic diagrams and monitored readings are presented separately as follows:

. Information screen . Engine control and monitoring . Power (electrical) management and load monitoring . Tank capacity and level monitoring . Navigation systems . Lighting controls and monitoring . Fire fighting equipment includes the control and monitoring of system valves.

. Safety systems covered by the ADNR requirements.

. Hydraulic systems.

. Ventilation and air conditioning systems.

When a particular page (function) is selected, switches and valves on the various mimic diagrams can be operated using the cursor, tracker-ball and buttons.

Navigational equipment fitted in the wheelhouse includes, a Simrad Robertson integrated navigation system combining the functions of a DGPS, Seachart plotter and echosounder. Also supplied by Simrad Robertson is a 'Dynamic Positioning' system designed specifically for accurate station-keeping whilst fire fighting and carrying out inspection duties. A Litton RR 2175 radar system is provided, with a display at each of the two forward control positions.

The autopilot installed is a Radio Zeeland type Eco 500 'Combi-pilot'. Other equipment fitted includes gyro and magnetic compasses, VHF radios by Traxys, Marifax telephone and facimile, and GSM mobile telephones. The high standard of communications equipment fitted enables the vessel to act as a 'Command Centre' in the event of a major emergency.

Three high powered, remotely controlled searchlights on the wheelhouse roof are provided for search and inspection duties in poor visibility.

Under normal circumstances the vessel will operate with a crew of three but provision is made onboard to accommodate up to eight additional persons. The accommodation and wheelhouse is fully air-conditioned, heated and ventilated. When operating in hazardous conditions the ventilation system can supply filtered air and raise interior air pressure sufficiently to prevent the ingress of dangerous fumes.

Considerable effort has gone into reducing sound levels and vibration throughout the vessel.

Accommodation includes, a large combined day-room and galley, changing and sanitary facilities. Sufficient storage lockers are provided for on and off-duty crews.

MJ Information No: 16725