Damen Shipyards Group has delivered the Research Vessel (RV 3609) Simon Stevin to DAB Vloot, the Flemish governmental fleet operator. Damen Shipyards Gorinchem and VLIZ, the Flemish Institute for the Sea, jointly designed the RV 3609.
While hull and hotworks were built at Damen Shipyards Galati (Romania), Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam (the Netherlands) have taken care of the outfitting. This Damen yard installed all high-tech research and fishing equipment. The Simon Stevin will be used offshore for scientific research on climate change, sustainable fishing, energy production at sea and for educational purposes. Watch a video of the vessel below this news post.
Modern Research Platform
The Flemish multidisciplinary research programs that are undertaken by VLIZ, Belgian universities and other scientific institutions all needed a modern research platform in the North Sea for studies in oceanography, fishing, marine biology, microbiology, chemistry and archaeology. With the Simon Stevin this platform has now been realised. Its name relates to the influential Flemish mathematician and engineer Simon Stevin (1548-1620) who designed and executed many civil works related to water technology and marine engineering.
Silent Mode
The ship had to comply with extensive and rigorous requirements both as to its footprint and fishing gear. Therefore, the design and lay-out of the vessel is optimised to have very low underwater noise levels and had to be able to sail in “silent mode”. The silent mode complies to the ICES Standard 209 (International Council for Exploration of the Seas), a standard that limits Underwater Radiated Noise. The RV 3609 ((36 x 9 m) is the smallest vessel in the world that complies with these strict requirements.
Laboratories
The scientists and researchers have a “dry” and “wet” laboratory at their disposal on the main deck. On the forecastle deck there is a survey room (containing the servers and most computers) for data analysis. When the net drum is dismantled, the aft deck offers room for additional containerised laboratories.
Main Characteristics
Its basic characteristics are:
- a tiltable A-frame on the aft deck,
- a number of winches for hydrographical survey work, soil sampling and fishing,
- two laboratories,
- a 200 kW bowthruster,
- a Dynamic Positioning system, and
- a free deck space of 45 m² allowing space for two containers.
Underneath the vessel (and integrated in its keel) a “blister” is installed, in other words a pod containing a multi-beam echosounder and other equipment for 3D-imaging of the sea bed.
Download Simon Stevin's TD Sheet.
Fishing Winches below Deck
A set of purpose-built fishing winches, uniquely installed below deck, allow the RV 3609 to apply several fishing methods. For pelagic fishing, a Maaskant low-noise and dismantable electrical net drum has been designed and installed for the 8-metre wide beam trawler. The lay-out of the top deck enables (visual) research on and counting of birds and aquatic mammals.
The two fishing winches, the net drum and the double anchor mooring winch are designed and built by Maaskant Stellendam. In addition, the vessel contains an auxiliary winch to support the second A-frame on starboard side and a double-drum electrical, oceanographic CTD-winch (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth). These are used for lowering research equipment, such as a computer-guided CTD-carousel for taking water samples.
Accommodation
The Simon Stevin has (sleeping) accommodation, including a separate messroom, for ten crew and ten scientists when going on multi-day missions. For day-trips the vessels can take up to thirty persons on board.
Propulsion
The Damen RV 3609 is propelled by two 520 kW electric motors, which are flexibly mounted to reduce subsea noise levels. Three generator sets supply the electricity for the propulsion system, the winches and other electrical equipment. Up to 9.5 knots the ship is able to sail in silent mode; its maximum speed is 12 knots. The bowthruster, part of the vessel’s DP-arrangement, ensures good manoeuvrability in ports and when performing diving operations.
