Page 47: of Marine News Magazine (June 2018)

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AUTONOMOUS RESPONSE VESSELS manned assets from responding effectively. RALamander

RALamander 2000 can serve as a force multiplier with conventional ? re? ght- With a total pumping capacity of 2400 m3/hour, the ing assets, or be deployed on its own. vessel’s retractable mast can bring one of the three moni-

Ultimately, the goal is to have one remote control sys- tors to a high point of attack for shipboard or dock ? res tem for both the vessel and the ? re? ghting equipment. and it also can lower the air draft pro? le. Still, some ? res

Together with dynamic positioning, one person should be need to be fought in littoral / estuary situations. Hence, able to control the complete vessel/operation. And, says the navigational draft is just 3 meters. Den Hertog told den Hertog, in the future, one person should be able to MarineNews, “The propellers will be protected from im- control multiple RALamanders. pact with the bottom by the nozzles, and while there is no

The Kongsberg Maritime control & communications guarantee than choking by debris can't happen, our expe- system will feature a robust high-bandwidth, low latency rience with shallow draft tugs with similar arrangements wireless link to a semi-portable RALamander operator operating in debris-laden rivers is that the arrangement is console that can be located on a manned ? reboat, or other simple and reliable for this application.” Moreover, water- vessel of opportunity such as a tug or pilot boat. In com- jet propulsion is also an option, if a client prefers it.

mon with other KONGSBERG autonomous control sys- The onboard powering system is diesel electric with bat- tems, the versatile architecture of RALamander’s control teries. Propulsion is by twin propellers in nozzles with sep- system will leave the door open to a range of autonomy arate bow and stern thrusters, all electrically driven. The levels, which are con? gurable or future-upgradable to suit two diesel gensets will be typically be IMO III compliant the operator or port’s evolving needs. but this may depend on where RALamander will operate.

The MBR, which is the primary communication link, A range of auto functions is planned for ? re? ghting, in- has a range beyond line-of-sight. Combined with a land cluding dynamic positioning, water spray target holding, based internet link, the theoretical distance is unlimited. and ‘line protection’ where RALamander automatically

Sondre Larsson, Kongsberg’s Sales Manager / Autonomy, moves back and forth along a line while directing protec- explains, “We see it natural to start with a line-of-sight op- tive spray cover on shore structures or vessels threatened eration. When the functionality for more autonomous op- by a ? re. A low-pro? le design also makes it possible to at- eration is installed, the operator/supervisor can be located tack under-wharf and marina ? res remotely. If a burning anywhere. The experience from the ? rst, purely remote vessel poses a threat to its surroundings, RALamander can controlled, RALamander will decide the path towards fully be used to tow it a safe distance by means of its Grapnel autonomous ? re? ghting.” Emergency Towing (GET) system.

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