Hydrographic
Survey Catamaran
HYDROGRAPHIC
SURVEY CATAMARAN FOR BAHRAIN
Al Masaha is a 19 metre commercial powercat designed by Wright
& Lavranos and constructed in aluminum by Q-West of Wanganui.
The vessel was recently launched and shipped to Bahrain in the
Arabian Gulf, where she now operates as a hydrographic survey
vessel. The preliminary work to gain the contract to design
and build the vessel was a co-operative venture involving a
number of parties.
Neville
Solley of Southern Cross Marine put the contract together
after a lengthy series of negotiations. Defining exact user
requirements and consideration of the demanding operating
conditions were key elements in the preliminary design stage,
as was matching the performance required while staying within
strict budget constraints. Q-West was selected as the builders
on the basis of their excellent track record, cost effective
approach, and first class work. The vessel was built under
M&I survey with performance trials conducted by Len Gilbert
and the entire project monitored by Robin Williams of MC&I
on behalf of the Bahrain Government.
In
the independent sea trials carried out before shipping the
vessel in fact exceeded service speed at continuous rated
revs by 1 knot, (21 knots at 1900 RPM) and fuel consumption
was also less than the various contract speeds, allowing increased
endurance. A top speed of 25 knots top (2100 RPM) was achieved
in full load condition.
The
powercat is very efficient as shown by the "out &
back" service speed of 20 knots for 30 hours plus a survey
speed of 12 knots for 50 hours while also running huge amounts
of air-conditioning. She is designed to operate in maximum
air temperatures of 46 deg C, and water temp of 38 deg C!
Sufficient power reserves, engine room ventilation and removal
of waste heat etc were important issues in the contract and
design. Construction of the vessel was in marine grade aluminum,
and all parts of the hull were plasma cut directly off "cut
files". The interior consists of an upper flybridge with
steering control station plus two instrument monitoring desks
to handle the hydrographic survey systems. On the main deck
level there is a comfortable saloon / mess facility, galley,
double officers cabin, toilet & shower facilities. Down
below in the hulls there is berthing for 6 crew, plus shower
/ toilet facilities. The walk in engine rooms, accessed through
W/T doors give access to the Volvo 163P main engines, each
putting out 550 KW (750 HP) at 2100 RPM and two Gemini Gensets
of 30 & 11 KW, all supplied by Volpower.
LENGTH
OVERALL 19.00 Meters
BEAM 6.80 Meters
DISPLACEMENT 42 Tonnes (fully loaded)
Click here to view our Contact and Links page and get more information on this boat.
lavranos@ihug.co.nz
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