SHIP & BOATBUILDING
RHINE WORKBOAT IS A “JACK OF ALL TRADES” The 33.25m by 7.4m traffic control boat Emmerich, drawing 1.05m, was actually delivered in 2020 by Elbe small boat yard Bolle for service with the Rhine office of the government’s Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV). The naming of the multi-functional newbuild - already tagged a ‘jack of all trades’ - was delayed by Covid. But it has meanwhile proved itself on the Central German Rhine near the Dutch border. Experience to date with the newbuild is described as “completely positive” and when WSV Rhein office head Birgitta Beuel named the boat in August she said it was already making a significant contribution to trouble-free Rhine shipping. After just a year, Emmerich is already regarded as one of the most eco-friendly and cleanest boats in the WSV fleet as far as climate and environmental protection are concerned. None of which is surprising given that Emmerich was conceived and built by Bolle, WSV and Innoship engineers specifically as a prototype for a series of future-oriented workboats equipped for eco- system change later if required. It is an improved and modified version of similar Rhine boats and incorporates the technical knowledge and practical experience gained with those earlier vessels. Its workload is extensive. It includes wreck and obstacle recovery, the setting of fixed and floating shipping markers and their maintenance and repair. WSV spokeswoman Valeska Bergmann told Maritime Journal the two originally stipulated main diesel-electric engines on Emmerich - 300kW Volvo Penta D13 units - had been changed. Two Scania DC13311A each of 294kW replaced them because these were the first certified units to
Photo WSV
A unique €5.1 million workboat seen as a model for future eco-drive systems has finally been named reports Tom Todd
meet higher V emission standards applying from 2020 They drive two Danfoss generators each of 253kW with Fischer emission control technology, which in turn feed two Schottel SRP 100FP rudder propellers each of 210kW, a 100kW Veth VCG-600 bow thruster for positioning, and provide on board power. Using GTL low-emission fuel based on natural gas, some18kms/h is provided. Emmerich equipment also includes a Palfinger Marine PK 29002 ME crane of max 400kg lift, plenty of deck space for obstacle stowage and an hydraulic ramp.
8 Designed for the future: Emmerich
Two more Incat Crowther CTVs for MHO & Co
42 | SEPTEMBER 2021
8 MHO Asgard and MHO Apollo can operate with zero emissions
Photo: Incat Crowther
AFAI Southern Shipyard has successfully delivered a pair of Incat Crowther 35 crew transfer vessels (CTV), said to be the first hybrid CTVs in operation with zero-emission capability. The MHO Asgard and MHO Apollo will service the Hornsea Project 2 offshore wind farm for Ørsted and are the third and fourth Incat Crowther-designed vessels for MHO & Co, following on from MHO Esbjerg and MHO Gurli. “MHO Asgard and MHO Apollo demonstrate Incat Crowther’s growing reputation for collaboration with operators and developers of new propulsion technologies, delivering fully-integrated solutions based on proven platforms,” said Ed Dudson, managing director of Incat Crowther Europe.
The CTVs’ propulsion system, developed in collaboration with Danfoss and Volvo Penta, comprises a pair of diesel drivetrains and a pair of diesel-electric drivetrains, each driving Volvo Penta IPS drives. The main diesel engines are Volvo Penta D13s, producing 515kW each and the
generators used for the diesel-electric propulsion train are Volvo Penta D8-MH units. A further three of these units are located in the hulls amidship, alongside a Volvo Penta D5 used as a harbour generator. Additionally, a Corvus battery system provides stored power for zero-emission operation. The vessels can operate in electric mode for up to eight hours or in combination with diesel propulsion for a maximum speed of 25 knots. Each has accommodation for 24 persons and a 110m2 foredeck with multiple tie-downs, deck crane, moon pool and the capability to take Bring-to-Work systems.
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