Schottel propulsion units will be fitted to what is believed to be the first German seagoing government agency vessel with low-emission LNG propulsion.
Ordered by the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), the 75m long Atair survey, wreck-search and research vessel features a Schottel Pump Jet type SPJ 220 (1,000 kW), one Schottel Transverse Thruster type STT 1 FP (330 kW) in the bow and one Schottel Transverse Thruster type STT 170 FP (200 kW) in the stern.
The research vessel, currently under construction at Fassmer in Berne, Germany, is designed to achieve maximum manoeuvrability. The Pump Jet can also be used as a standby unit (take-home device).
Powered by LNG, Atair has a large 130 cubic-metre tank onboard which enables the ship to run on LNG alone for ten days. When opting for diesel operation (dual fuel), high-quality diesel fuel oil with a sulphur content less than 0.1 percent is used.
Equipment onboard includes several laboratories, a station for measuring air pollution while at sea, a crane, a bridle beam for geological activities on the seabed, a large 200sqm work deck and extensive diving equipment – including a diving chamber.
The vessel’s underwater noise has been optimised to meet the DNV SILENT Class Notation (SILENT R). The Schottel propulsion units are also designed to be low noise emissions.
Atair is due to be commissioned in the spring of 2020.
By Rebecca Jeffrey
