Damen delivers workboat to Jamaica

PAJAM is no stranger to Damen’s products having previously acquired two Stan Tugs 2909 and two pilot vessels. This latest acquisition, designated the UV 3911 is also however a new addition to Damen’s portfolio and the sixth example in its utility vessel series ranging from 27m to 65m length. The specification indicates a particularly well-equipped vessel of adequate size for its role and one that can adapt to other duties including offshore.

Jamaica III provides maintenance operations in PAJAM’s ports including laying and maintaining buoys for which a deck crane and 5t A-frame are provided along with underdeck chain storage area, the vessel designed for ‘excellent stability’ to cope with the weight of the chain and other equipment involved with its various assignments. A towing winch is provided with a pulling force of 10t (at 10m/min) and the vessel provides 18tbp and speed 11.3kn from a propulsion arrangement comprising two Caterpillar C18 main engines developing 1,000bkW in total powering 1,600mm controllable-pitch propellers in nozzles. Manoeuvrability is enhanced by two independent fishtail rudders with electronic coupling and transverse thrusters forward and aft and the vessel is equipped with DP for station keeping.

Main particulars includes LOA 39.4m, beam 10.8m, design draught 3m on a gross tonnage of 499t while tank capacities include: fuel oil 119m3 and fresh water 42m3. Accommodation is provided for 20 persons over three decks in nine double and two single cabins, all with en-suite facilities. The aft deck is wood sheathed as is common with for vessels involved in handling buoys, chain and anchors and Damen’s specification sheet for the UV 3911 indicates a work deck area of 200m2 and deck load of 200 tons.

The hull was built at Safe Shipyards in Gdansk allowing for Covid-19 precautions before being towed to Damen Maaskant Shipyards, Stellendam in the Netherlands for final fitting out, completed during lockdown conditions, Damen stating: ‘Careful logistical planning ensured there were no delays to the scheduled timetable despite the robust safety measures in place.’ Sea trials were  ‘exceptionally successful’ and ‘faster than anticipated’ before Jamaica III sailed across the Atlantic on its delivery passage on its own keel.

By Peter Barker