Damen delivers diverse ‘Axe Bow’ duo
The varied range of vessels produced by Damen Shipyards is reflected in these two craft, seen on the final assembly and testing quay at the company’s headquarters in Gorinchem.
On the left is the second Twin Axe Catamaran Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 2610, Marineco Mariah, for Edinburgh based Marineco UK. Marineco took delivery of its first FCS 2610, Marineco Shamal, in time for it to make a starring appearance on the floating pontoon at Seawork 2011. The vessel has subsequently been fully deployed undertaking offshore wind farm support work.
The ‘Axe Bow’ concept has been around for some five years now, and the ‘Twin Axe’ offers a more stable platform within the Workboat Code 1 range. Compared to conventional catamarans with the same displacement, the ‘Twin Axe’ claims reduced peak accelerations of up to 75%, reduced calm water resistance of up to 15% and reduced added resistance in waves of up to 60%.
The 26.2m LOA aluminium craft is powered by twin Caterpillar C32 TTA B main engines delivering a total of 2,400 bhp to fixed pitch propellers through Reintjes ZWVS 440/1 two speed gearboxes for a top speed of 26 knots and cruising at 22 knots.
The vessel on the right in our ShipShot is a Stan Patrol SPA 5009 which is due to be delivered to the Republic of Cape Verde this month. Based on Damen’s Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 5009, this vessel features a single ‘Axe Bow’ which delivers high speeds with low fuel consumption. More than 60 Damen Sea Axe vessels have already been delivered as Crew Boats and FCS but the Cape Verde craft is the first Offshore Patrol Vessel version.
The Sea Axe concept was developed for patrol boats by a steam combining Damen Shipyards, Delft Technical University, the US Coast Guard, the Royal Netherlands Navy, and Maritime Research Institute of the Netherlands (MARIN). Rather than bouncing over waves, the Sea Axe design cuts through them, limiting speed degradation due to wind and waves.
Extensive Finite Element Analyses showed that steel was the best construction material for the 50.02m LOA Stan Patrol 5009, enabling it to sail at maximum speed under all circumstances without distressing the crew or the ship itself. The propulsion system sees four main engines delivering a total installed power of 4,324 bkW and driving four propellers to deliver a maximum speed of 23 knots.
For further information contact Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, Tel: +31 (0)183 63 99 11, Fax: +31 (0)183 63 21 89, Email: info@damen.nl, Web: www.damen.nl
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