Unique dive support ship faces build delay

Claudia Thoma, spokeswoman for the country’s national waterways and shipping agency (WSV) in Bonn, told Maritime Journal of the delay at Dutch builders Damen. The €23 million newbuild had been due into service late this year on the Rhine and its tributaries Mosel, Saar, Neckar and Main. But Thoma said it would now be the first quarter of next year before it enters service..

The hull of the 69m long newbuild – officially called a diving bell ship – was launched late April by Europoort Construction for Holland’s Damen. It is being outfitted and completed at Damen in Gorinchem.

In the interim the important Rhine route through Europe to and from major German and Dutch seaports is not without specialist diving, obstacle clearing and lock and weir inspection support. The existing 52m x 11.8m diving bell ship Carl Straat, more than 50 years old, continues to serve until it is replaced, the WSV said.

WSV President Hans-Heinrich Witte said the new ship, as yet unnamed, will be unique. For operation by the Duisburg-Rhine waterways and shipping office, its duties will also include the location and recovery of cargo or wreckage and riverbed inspection and buoy anchoring.

Claudia Thoma reported the diesel electric newbuild will have three Caterpillar C18 engines each of 438kW which will conform to EU norms and emission standards.

It will be equipped with two Schottel SRP 150 FP rudder propellers each of 330kW and a Schottel SPJ82 360 degree pump jet of 340kW, all enabling maximum manoeuverabuility in restricted waters. Schottel noted the pump jet is built flush to the hull and protected against ground contact. The units are all driven by electric motors which Thoma identified as Marelli B4J 355 and LSAM 47.2 L9C units. With these systems, the newbuild can maintain a speed of at least 13 kms/hour meaning that unlike its predecessor it can operate without towing assistance on the Rhine.

The 4 x 6m diving bell and other diving equipment on the new ship is coming from Haux in Karlsbad while the lowering and lifting plant is from Technomar in Bremen.