Winds of change for CTVs


AMC has completed the first vessel in its Eco CTV series of hybrid diesel- electric offshore support vessels – designs capable of reducing emissions by 60%, writes Barbara Buchanan


A


new hybrid diesel-electric crew transfer vessel (CTV) for technicians visiting wind farms in the North


Sea has been constructed and launched by Isle of Wight-based builder and designer Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC). Te group spent six months designing a


24.5m loa prototype, dubbed the Eco CTV, which can carry between 12-24 passengers and which features a bollard pull (bp) of 75tonnes. Te design is based on AMC’s existing catamarans and features a hull length of 22m, a beam of 8.2m and a draught of 1.45m. Te Eco CTV is powered by four Scania


generators which charge its batteries while the vessel makes the two-hour journey to the wind farm using its diesel engines. Te boat then reverts to battery power for six


hours of loitering around the wind turbine towers. Te vessel trawls at 9knots but can achieve up to 26knots for long journeys.


Six hours of savings AMC says that the boat is capable of reducing emissions by 60%, and can deliver six hours of savings on engine maintenance and time compared to its standard vessels. Commercial technical manager Robin


Orledge explains: “Te diesel engines are efficient at 80% of load: that’s the best range for using diesel fuel engines. When you are travelling at 10-12knots, you only need one engine.” Te boat costs about 30% more than the


typical price tag of a standard CTV and has a lifespan of 20 years. Te powertrain that


SCR for Sea Express II


A new 29m passenger ferry has adopted scrubber technology to comply with stringent emissions regulations


Sea Express II has a reported


range of 760nm at 20knots U


nusually for a small vessel – and particularly so for one under 30m in length – a brand


new passenger ferry bound for the Caribbean has incorporated scrubber technology into its design. Sea Express II, which was built by


Thai aluminium boat specialist SeaCat Ships Co, has been fitted with a selective


catalytic reduction (SCR) system in order to significantly minimise exhaust emissions. According to Sea Speed Design, which developed the 29m ferry concept in partnership with SeaCat: “This is the first vessel fitted with this system for these particular engines.” The incorporation of the SCR system means that this ferry type complies with IMO Tier III and US EPA Tier 4 emission standards, the designer claims.


International and domestic Te aluminium, deep-V-hulled catamaran, which will provide an inter-island shuttle service in the Caribbean, operated by owner Aquatic Rentals, has an overall length of 28.9m, an overall breadth of 9.2m, a draught of 1.95m and the capacity to carry up to 149 passengers internationally or 300 in coastal and domestic waters.


Ship & Boat International January/February 2019 She was built in accordance with Lloyd’s


Register Special Service Craſt (SSC) rules and the US Coast Guard’s Subchapter K requirements for small passenger vessels carrying more than 150 passengers. Te lower deck is fitted with 195 economy-class seats, while the upper deck features 36 internal and 58 external business-class seats. She can accommodate up to five crew members. Te ferry is powered by two Baudouin 12M 26.3 engines, each rated 1,230kW, driving fixed-pitch propellers. Te vessel has also been outfitted with twin 60kVA gensets provided by Zenith. According to Sea Speed Design, sea trials saw the vessel achieve speeds of more than 30knots, though her cruising speed is specified as 27-28knots, and she has a reported range of 760nm at 20knots. Te operator can store up to 8,000litres of fuel onboard, split evenly between two tanks. SBI


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AMC’s Eco CTV concept employs a powertrain that can be used on a wide range of vessels, from 23-40m in length


AMC has developed can be used on a wide range of vessels, spanning 23-40m in length. It’s hoped that, in future, the generators


can be removed and either replaced by hydrogen cells or charged in-field from a terminal at the wind farm. SBI


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