Multi-role vessel for Norwegian Coastguard

Emergency towing vessel, fisheries

protection and pollution control combined in UT512 design

The UT512 design from Rolls-Royce has been chosen by the Norwegian coastguard for the latest addition to its fleet. The newbuilding will carry out many different duties, including patrolling, fisheries protection, emergency standby, pollution control and towing. The complex design brief was carried out by RR?s Ship Technology-Ulstein.

Rapidly increasing tanker traffic along the coast of Norway, especially in the far north, has raised fears of extensive pollution in the event of a tanker grounding. An important role of the new coastguard ship will therefore be towing and pollution prevention. A high bollard pull of 115 tonnes has been specified (the vessel will have tug classification), together with a full outfit of oil spill control equipment and a tank capacity for recovered oil of more than 1,000m3. Since its roles include patrolling, it will have fast boarding/rescue boats, a gun on the foredeck and a comprehensive civil and military communications system. Like other Norwegian coastguard vessels the manning will be a mixture of civilians and military personnel, totalling 26 people.

The 83m long ship will be owned and operated by Rem?y Shipping, on a long term charter to the Norwegian coastguard (Kystvakten). S?viknes Verft, a member of the Bratvaag shipbuilding group, will fit out the vessel, based on hull steelwork from Aker Tulcea in Romania, and is slated for delivery early 2005. As well as the design, Rolls-Royce will provide a complete package of equipment including the main propulsion engines consisting of two 8-cylinder 4,000kW Bergen B32:40 medium speed diesels driving twin CP propellers in nozzles. Tenfjord steering gear will operate the rudders, and there will be a Kamewa Ulstein tunnel thruster and an Ulstein Aquamaster swing-up azimuth thruster at the bow. This propulsion system gives the required balance between a high speed of about 20 knots, a bollard pull of more than 100 tonnes and an efficient performance in all the vessel?s many operating roles.

A Rauma Brattvaag deck machinery package has been specified, comprising a main towing winch with a 150 tonne brake load, anchor windlass, capstan and tugger winch. This coastguard vessel will be the first to be fitted with the new Rolls-Royce dynamic positioning system, and it is to have a full UMAS automation system.

Operation along the full length of Norway?s coastline and throughout the country?s exclusive economic zone will involve spending long periods in the Barent?s Sea and, as a result, ICE 1B class has been specified, along with anti-icing measures such as heated shelters for the two MOB/boarding boats. The hull shape features a prominent bulbous bow to give the vessel good sea-keeping capabilities.

For towing and emergency work, the UT512 design includes an optimally located towing winch, a reinforced pushbow, FiFi 1 firefighting category, a hospital, and extensive equipment including line throwing gear, a harpoon system for attaching the tow wire to stricken vessels, oil spill booms and skimmers.