Page 41: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2012)

September 2012www.marinelink.com 41RV Simon Stevin Delivered by Damen Damen Shipyards Group delivered the Research Vessel (RV 3609) Simon Stevin to its Belgian client DAB Vloot, the Flemish governmental fleet operator. The RV 3609 was jointly designed by Damen Shipyards Gorinchem and VLIZ, the Flemish Institute for the Sea. While hull and hotworks were built at Damen Ship- yards Galati (Romania), the outfitting was done by Maaskant Shipyards Stel- lendam (The Netherlands). This Damen yard installed all high-tech research andfishing equipment. RV Simon Stevin will be used offshore for scientific research on climate change, sustainable fishing, en- ergy production at sea and for educa- tional purposes.The Flemish multidisciplinary researchprograms that are undertaken by VLIZ, Belgian universities and other scientific institutions all needed a modern researchplatform in the North Sea for studies inoceanography, fishing, marine biology, microbiology, chemistry and archaeol- ogy. With the Simon Stevin this platform has now been realized. Its name relates to the influential Flemish mathematicianand engineer Simon Stevin (1548-1620) who designed and executed many civil works related to water technology and marine engineering.The ship had to comply with extensive and rigorous requirements both as to itsfootprint and fishing gear. Therefore, the design and lay-out of the vessel is opti- mized to have very low underwater noise levels and be able to sail in ?silent mode.? The silent mode complies to the ICESStandard 209 (International Council forExploration of the Seas), a standard thatlimits Underwater Radiated Noise. The Damen RV 3609 is the smallest vessel in the world that complies with these strict requirements. Scientists and researchershave both a dry and a wet laboratory at their disposal on the main deck. On the forecastle deck there?s a survey room (containing the servers and most computers) for data analysis. When the net drum is dismantled, the aft deck of-fers room for additional containerizedlaboratories. Main characteristicsThe vessel measures 36 x 9 m and its basic characteristics are a tiltable A- frame on the aft deck, a number ofwinches for hydrographical survey work, soil sampling and fishing, two laborato- ries, a 200 kW bow thruster, a Dynamic Positioning system, and a free deck spaceof 45 sq. m., allowing space for two con- tainers. Underneath the vessel (and inte- grated in its keel) a blister is installed, i.e. a pod containing a multi-beamechosounder and other equipment for3D-imaging of the sea bed.A set of purpose-built fishing winches, uniquely installed below-deck, allow the RV 3609 to apply several fishing meth- ods. For pelagic fishing, a Maaskant low- noise and electrical net drum has been de-signed and installed for the 8-m widebeam trawler. The lay-out of the top deck enables (visual) research on and countingof birds and aquatic mammals. The two fishing winches, the net drum and the double anchor mooring winch aredesigned and built by Maaskant Stellen- dam. In addition, the vessel contains an auxiliary winch to support the second A- frame on starboard side and a double-drum electrical, oceanographicCTD-winch (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth). These are used for lowering re- search equipment, e.g. a computer- guided CTD-carousel for taking water samples. The ship has (sleeping) accom- modation, including a separate messroom, for 10 crew and 10 scientists when going on multi-day missions. For day- trips the vessels can take up to 30 persons on board. The Damen RV 3609 is pro- pelled by two 520 kW electric motors, which are flexibly mounted to reduce subsea noise levels. Three generator sets supply the electricity for the propulsionsystem, the winches and other electricalequipment. Up to 9.5 knots the SimonStevin is able to sail in ?silent mode?; its maximum speed is 12 knots. The bow thruster, part of the vessel?s DP-arrange- ment, ensures good maneuverability in ports and when performing diving opera- tions. Bouchard BollingerDeliversTank Barge Bollinger Marine Fabricators delivered the B. No. 250, a new 55,000 barrel tank barge to Bouchard Transportation. B. No. 250 is a manned ocean service, clean oil barge measur- ing 317.5 x 70 ft. with a depth of 28-ft. It is anew design engineered for Bouchard, built and certified by ABS and USCG. It is has 12 cargo compartments, vapor recovery, and two separate pumping systems, capable of transporting gradeA and lower petroleum products. B. No. 250 is fitted with an Intercon coupling ladder system, dual pump ballast system, two Techcrane hose handling cranes, and Coastal marine anchor andmooring winches. MR#9 (34-41):MR Template 9/11/2012 4:26 PM Page 41