Three new multi-purpose ships, which were ordered by the federal government for the waterways and shipping administration (WSV) from the Abeking & Rasmussen ship and yacht yard (A&R) in Lemwerder, will be equipped with SCHOTTEL propulsion systems. Planning and conception as well as tendering and ongoing construction supervision are carried out by the Federal Institute for Hydraulic Engineering (BAW), Ship Technology Department.
Maneuverability, high bollard pull values, increased availability combined with maximum propulsion efficiency are decisive for these ships. These requirements are met with two powerful SCHOTTEL rudder propellers and one PumpJet per ship. The new buildings designed by A&R are operated exclusively with liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Powerful main
drives Each of the identical, over 90 m long WSV special ships is driven by two SCHOTTEL rudder propellers type SRP 750 (each 4,500 kW at 750 rpm). This enables the ships to reach a speed of over 15 knots and a bollard pull of at least 145 tons. With input powers of up to 5,300 kW, the SRP 750 is one of the most powerful rudder propellers in the entire SCHOTTEL portfolio.
Reliable auxiliary drives
A SCHOTTEL PumpJet type SPJ 520 (2,990 kW) also increases the maneuverability of the ships and is also suitable for use in shallower waters thanks to the fact that it is flush with the ship’s hull. The SPJ is installed with elastic bearings, which reduces both the noise and vibration level on board and underwater noise.
Intelligent maintenance for increased availability
In addition, all three ships will be equipped with SCHOTTEL MariHub, the data acquisition and IoT gateway solution from SCHOTTEL. The system records and analyzes signals from sensors, machines and other components, which are evaluated by SCHOTTEL on behalf of the customer.
With the Condition Monitoring Service ProCMS, MariHub enables the early detection of irregularities in the drive train. This predictive maintenance approach contributes significantly to the increased availability of the multi-purpose ships: With ProCMS maintenance costs can be reduced and the planning of maintenance can be improved.
Safety at the highest level
The multi-purpose ships are given special equipment, including a gas-tight “citadel” structure with protective air supply, so that operations can be carried out in a dangerous atmosphere in the event of an accident. A helicopter landing area is located on the foredeck and a winch area above the stern. In this way, additional emergency services and materials can be safely brought on board the multi-purpose ships.
The tasks of the multi-purpose ships are diverse: from the processing of navigation signs and the performance of shipping police tasks to the pollution accident and fire fighting, emergency towing within the scope of maritime emergency preparedness and injuries at sea to the use of hydroacoustic systems. In addition to the 16 crew members, up to 34 emergency services can be accommodated on board. In order to carry out emergency towing operations successfully, there is extensive equipment on board.
The first ship to start operating in 2023
The three newbuildings will replace the multi-purpose ships “Mellum”, “Scharhörn” and “Neuwerk”. The areas of use of the ships approved for worldwide voyage are the German coastal waters in the North and Baltic Seas.
The first of the new special ships is scheduled to go into operation in 2023, the second a year later and the third ship in 2025.
 from the Abeking & Rasmussen ship and yacht yard (A&R) in Lemwerder, will be equipped with SCHOTTEL propulsion systems. Planning and conception as well as tendering and ongoing construction supervision are carried out by the Federal Institute for Hydraulic Engineering (BAW), Ship Technology Department.){kind=link}