New Loodswezen boats on the way from Seattle
The three new pilot boats meet the stringent emission regulations set by the authorities of the Port of Rotterdam. Photo: Jennifer Rose
A further link between USA boatbuilders Kvichak Marine Industries and Europe has been solidified with delivery underway of three all weather fast pilot boats.
The vessels have been designed by Camarc Design Ltd of the UK for the Dutch Pilotage Organization, Loodswezen.
P/V Aquila, P/V Draco and P/V Orion have left Seattle on board a cargo ship and are due to arrive in Rotterdam by the end of this month. The vessels will be in full operation in the ports along the Dutch coast after crew member training.
The environmentally friendly craft meet the stringent emission regulations set by the authorities of the Port of Rotterdam. Twin Tier II compliant Caterpillar ACERT C32 engines power each boat, coupled to ZF 3050 marine gears driving Hamilton 651 water jets. This combination allows for excellent maneuverability and a top speed of 28.5 knots fully loaded. The fuel capacity is for 1,200 gallons.
Each boat is equipped with an exhaust after treatment system comprising a Selective Catalytic Reduction system (SCR) and a diesel particulate filter system (DPF). The emissions reduction technology is provided by Hug Engineering in Switzerland and supplied and serviced through Soottech in the Netherlands.
The SCR system injects a urea based mixture downstream of the engine exhaust outlets into the dry exhaust piping. With the aid of a catalyst the urea combines with nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and reduces them into nitrogen gas and water. The DPF collects the unburnt soot and with the addition of another catalyst takes the carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate soot and converts these into carbon dioxide and water. Normal running exhaust temperatures are high enough to achieve an almost complete burn of these captured soot particles. The emission performance will have a reduction of 98% of particulate matter and a 60% reduction of NOx, fulfilling all new requirements by IMO and EU guidelines.
The 22.8m LOA vessels feature a beam of 5.8m and a draft of 1.1m. The removable and floating wheelhouse provides seating for three crew and 12 pilots. There is a rescue platform and Pop-Safe fendering.
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