Damen is set to launch its first composite Water Bus as the prototype undergoes sea trials in the next few weeks.
Customers are said to benefit from reduced fuel consumption, less maintenance, no corrosion or fatigue problems. Besides safety and efficiency, the new Water Bus has also been designed to limit noise and vibrations.
Water Bus
The Damen Water Bus has a slender hull, less weight than a traditional aluminium vessel and low resistance, producing only a low wake and ensuring the vessel is fuel efficient. It can travel at up to 21 knots or 40 km per hour. The highly manoeuvrable vessel has a capacity up to 100 passengers.
The vessel can easily be adapted to specific requirements, and the selected composites’ production process facilitates a swift delivery. This next generation Water Bus is also very strong because it is built with high quality vacuum infusion technology, creating a‘difficult to penetrate closed cell, epoxy sandwich structure.
Reducing Noise and Vibrations
The Damen Water Bus is equipped with two, forward facing, double-screw podded propulsion units, which reduce vibrations, besides offering low fuel consumption. Additionally, the exhaust of these units is under water, further reducing noise and vibrations. The vessel is also designed for easy and efficient boarding and passengers have panoramic views from the large windows on the sides and top deck.
Composite Workboats
This Water Bus is the first vessel for public transportation produced at Damen Shipyards Antalya, which specialises in composite professional workboat series suitable for heavy-duty operations. Typically up to 24 metres, these vessels include interceptors, patrol boats, pilot boats, crew suppliers and now water buses.
The first Damen Water Bus is expected to be in the Netherlands before the year-end and Damen has another Water Bus hull in stock ready for outfitting.
