Volvo Penta and Swedish boatbuilder Marell joined forces to create the new Marell M15 patrol boat that was demonstrated at the DSEI event in September.

Equipped with twin Volvo Penta D6-440 DPI sterndrives, the Marell M15 has a top speed of 45 knots and includes a fully integrated system from Volvo Penta, including its Electronic Vessel Control (EVC.2) and Glass Cockpit System.

The new Volvo Penta D6 DPI package includes a new engine management system, new fuel injection system, new turbocharger, and a new supercharger. The cylinder head, pistons, and valves are re-engineered to withstand higher torque as well as meeting higher reliability and durability requirements. As well as this, the Aquamatic sterndrive DPI has a new hydraulic clutch which allows for silent and smooth shifting. It also enables slipping at low speeds, resulting in greater maneuverability and higher comfort at low boat speeds. All of this makes the D6 a perfect fit for the Marell M15 – a durable vessel designed for anti-piracy operations, border control, intelligence gathering, maritime security, and force protection missions.

For this Military Professional segment, speed and manoeuvrability are top priorities. The D6-440 DPI sterndrives that the Marell M15 uses – together with the marine engine’s high torque at lower rpm – creates a vessel with very good ‘grip’ in the water, which in turns gives extremely high acceleration and safe high-speed turns.

In top specification, Volvo Penta’s D6 boasts 480hp and offers up to 10% more power across the range than its predecessor. The Marell M15 has a fuel consumption of only 3.4L/nm at cruising speed (40 knots) making this package very competitive compared to other propulsion systems.

GLASS COCKPIT SYSTEM
The new EVC.2 system has been designed with the complete boat in mind. Its all-new electronic architecture offers new features such as a single connection point – regardless of how many engines are in the installations – making maintenance, software downloads, and diagnostics easier.

Integrated with the EVC.2 system is the Glass Cockpit System, which provides a full overview and control of navigation and propulsion data, together with options for Autopilot and Joystick Driving. All of this is collected and displayed in one single interface: the multi-function, touchscreen display.

By Jake Frith