Following the successful trials and commissioning of Tanjung Klias and Tanjung Nosong inMarch, the boats were delivered to their Malaysian owner on time and comfortably able to exceed speed targets. The vessels will serve in Sabah waters for oil spill response, fire fighting and rescue duties.

They are laid out with a forward cargo/oil spill equipment area and a heavy duty bow ramp.

Boom reel, dispersant tank with nozzle spray system and a crane launched 4.5m workboat are all fitted.

Additionally, the specially designed bow ramp and shallow draft capability of the UltraJet propulsion system enable the craft to transport inter-island cargoes, beaching easily and safely for purposes of loading and unloading.

Each vessel is powered by twin Caterpillar 3412E diesel engines rated 820kW at 2,300 rpm, each driving an UltraJet 575 steerable waterjet through a twin Disc MG5145SC reduction gearbox with a reduction ratio of 1.75:1. During trials the craft achieved 15 knots at 97 tonnes displacement and 12 knots at 80% MCR. The twin UltraJet 575 installation delivers a bollard pull of 9 tonnes.

The UltraJet control system provides fine control of the vessel at all speeds, including holding station. The UltraJet units are at home in applications where bollard pull and acceleration are specified vessel requirements but speed cannot be sacrificed to achieve them. Mid-range thrust is critical on such heavily laden craft to achieve planning speeds and deliver fuel efficient cruising.

MJ Information No: 19599