The Damen Shipyards Group recently unveiled a series of new vessel designs based on its 16 metre long, 5 metre wide, semi Axe Bow design of a composite structure.
The first of the vessels is owned and operated by Van Oord for crew transfer in the Caspian Sea.
Fibre Reinforced Epoxy
The concept originated when Damen Marine Services commissioned the construction of a Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 1605 in fibre reinforced epoxy. The idea was to demonstrate the efficiency of the vessel design in composite form.
Damen Product Director High Speed Craft Jaap Gelling explains: ‘As well as the increased strength and significantly reduced maintenance requirements, the composite structure offers lower weight and an attractive increased speed and reduced fuel cost combination.’
Plug-and-Play
To that end, Damen is building in series 1605 hulls, at the same time constructing compatible superstructures for Stan Pilot, Stan Patrol and Fast Crew Supplier versions of the composite vessel. To facilitate rapid delivery times, the stock-built hull and superstructure combination of choice can be applied in "plug-and-play" fashion.
The concept proved successful, with Van Oord purchasing the DMS-commissioned vessel prior to the completion of construction at Damen Shipyards Antalya – Damen’s dedicated composites yard in Turkey. A second vessel has been delivered to the Sharjah Ports Authority in the United Arab Emirates.
