Alnmaritec supplies new research boat for University of Plymouth

The new Marine Institute Boat, Falcon Spirit, will be used to assist with research and teaching on the University’s wide range of marine related academic courses. It will also spend much of its time on the Wave Hub renewable energy research project off Land’s End.

The project came about as the result of the procurement team from Plymouth University visiting several potential builders at the Seawork exhibition last year and being impressed by the success of the Port of London Authority’s Alnmaritec built vessel, Lambeth, which was moored on the Seawork pontoon.

Working to a relatively modest budget, the Plymouth team were convinced that they could still end up with a purpose designed vessel which would meet their current needs and which, equally important in the current climate, could be readily adapted for those of future projects. The versatility of aluminium as a building material ensured that new requirements could be accommodated throughout the design and construction period.

The new boat which was designed in-house and built by Alnmaritec is a derivative of the highly successful Wave Commander class of offshore support vessels, many of which are already in service with wind farm operators in the renewable energy sector. The design was the product of a close working relationship between the yard, the crew and the academic staff ensuring that all interested parties were catered for in the finished vessel.

The attributes of high bow and wet deck, with a relatively fine entry, will ensure excellent seakeeping both in transit and on station and will keep the deck dry in the challenging conditions seen off the UK’s south west coast. The hull structure is designed and built to Lloyd’s SSC rules under survey and the MCA Workboat Code Category 2 certification will allow it operate up to 60 miles from a safe haven. A specially-adapted skeg aft gives excellent protection to the stern gear and will allow the vessel to take the ground as part of the operational requirement.

The boat is a 14m by 6m aluminium alloy asymmetric catamaran powered by twin Cummins QSC 8.3 litre 500bhp four stroke diesel engines, driving through Twin Disc MGX5114 IV vee-drive QuickShift gearboxes to conventional fixed pitch propellers. They will give the boat an anticipated cruising speed of around 18 knots and also allow for very low speed trolling during survey or trawling.

The vessel is fitted with a Beta Marine 14kVA marine generator providing ample AC power for the on-board computer equipment and a UPS is provided for server back-up.

Internally, it is laid out with a small wet lab and a large main cabin, both accessed from the aft deck. The wet lab is fitted with a range of power supplies and taps for fresh and seawater, which allow for a range of survey scenarios, and is finished in a hard wearing and hygienic paint system. The main saloon is fitted out with large desks for computer equipment and is arranged as a comfortable and practical environment for teaching and research.

The raised wheelhouse area was developed to give the skipper an excellent view around the vessel, a particularly important feature with students on board. A small but well equipped galley is located within the saloon for making hot food and drinks. The vessel carries a comprehensive navigation and communication suite in a spacious full width control console and is provided with an additional roof mounted platform and gland allowing for future growth to the electronics outfit.

The spacious demi-hulls provide the opportunity to keep the living quarters away from the working area and out of the skipper’s line of sight. A WC complete with shower is located to port and an overnight cabin to starboard.

The vessel features a large aft working deck area of 28m2 which is fully enclosed, providing a safe and versatile operating environment for the students and crew. An intercom on the aft deck and hailer/listener on the foredeck allow the skipper to maintain communications with those working outside. The substantial hydraulic ‘A’ frame is kept aft to free up space and can be used with either or both of the one ton hydraulic capstans for trawling and surveying work. Also fitted is a 500kg pot hauler for potting and deep water anchoring duties. There is alsdo a moon pool and built into the hull are housings for a pair of multibeam transducers.

Commenting on the company’s latest newbuild, Alnmaritec managing director Chris Millman said, ‘This has been a very interesting project for us. The collaboration with the University has been excellent and we are very pleased with the end result which has produced a versatile and extremely capable vessel. We are excited to be able to take the vessel to the Seawork exhibition this year where I hope some of her many unusual features will generate interest and comment’.