The main propulsion engines will be twin 8 cylinder Bergen B32:40 units turning CP propellers in nozzles. Tenfjord steering gear will operate the rudders and there will be Kamewa Ulstein tunnel thrusters and an Ulstein aquamaster swing-up azimuth thrusters at the bow. A Rauma Brattvaag deck machinery package has been specified, comprising a main towing winch with a 150-tonne brake load, anchor windlass, capstan and tugger winch. This coastguard vessel will be the first to be fitted with the new Rolls-Royce dynamic positioning system and is to have a full UMAS automation system.

The propulsion package gives a top speed of about 20 knots balanced by a bollard pull in excess of 100 tonnes.

For towing and emergency work, this UT512 design includes an optimally located towing winch, a reinforced pushbow, FiFi 1fire fighting category, a hospital, and extensive equipment which includes line throwing gear, a harpoon system for attaching the tow wire to stricken vessels, oil spill booms and skimmers.

From the same family as the UT512 comes the UT515, two of which have been ordered to operate along the French coast to prevent pollution disasters such as Erika and Prestige happening in future. The 80m long vessels will combine towing, salvage, coastguard and safety standby capabilities in performing their central coastal protection role.

An installed power of 16,000kW will provide a bollard pull of some 200 tonnes and a speed of 19.5 knots.

The Les Abeilles company in Groupe Bourbon will operate these ships on a long term charter to the French Navy and has placed the building contract with Myklebust Verft, one of the Kleven Maritime yards in Norway. The vessels are due for delivery in February and June 2005.

MJ Information No: 19546