Second all-rounder named for Swedes

Tom Todd writes: KBV 032 was named in Wolgast at the former Peene-Werft, now part of P+S Werften. Yard spokeswoman Britt Fischer-Jahn told The Motorship the newbuild was being handed over in spring with sister KBV 031. The last two ships in the €90million series would follow by August, she said.

The main mission of the flexible, 52m long ships is environmental protection but they will also carry out regular patrol duties and some novel ones. They are officially designated as oil-recovery vessels and have 255m³ oil tanks and oil pumps on board. Capable of year-round operation in temperatures of -25°C in the Baltic, Gulf of Bothnia and off Skagerrak, they also boast fire-fighting capability, emergency towing with 15t bollard pull and rescue and recovery using fast stern-mounted tenders which can operate in high winds and waves up to 2.8m.

The new ships are 10.4m wide and draw 3m maximum. Their main engines are four 800kW MTU type 16V 2000 M60 per ship providing a speed of 15.5 knots.