New BSH vessel
Currently under construction by German shipyard Fassmer Werft in Berne is ‘Atair’, the world’s first ocean-going public service vessel with dual fuel LNG drive destined for survey, wreck location and research operations in the North Sea, Baltic and North Atlantic.
It will operate under the auspices of the Federal German Maritime & Hydrographic Agency (BSH) based in Hamburg and Rostock.
Commissioned by the German Transport Ministry at a reported cost of €114m, the 74m long vessel will replace a smaller BSH one of the same name originally built by Kroeger Werft in 1987. Scheduled to commence service at the beginning of 2020, it will be the governmental organisation’s largest ship to date with a crew of 18 and provision for at least 15 scientists. Two independent onboard tenders, extensive laboratory facilities and free deck space of 200 square metres are among main design features.
Anticipated technical equipment is likely to comprise DP and integrated navigation systems together with an assortment of survey, sonar and diving assemblies. Principal engineering and design consultants for the newbuilding are Technolog Services of Hamburg.
By David Goodfellow
