Atlantic Aqua Marine Launches 23rd Aqua Truck For Spill Response
Atlantic Aqua Marine, Inc., of Portland, Maine, launched its 23rd Aqua Truck multi-purpose steel work boat. Dubbed the Casco Bay Responder, the vessel was built for Clean Casco Bay, Inc., a local spill response group which consists of oil terminal and pipeline operators.
The vessel will serve as the command vessel for training and spill response operations.
The 46-foot vessel has a breadth of 20 feet, and measures four feet from deck to bottom. Draft at the bow is just six inches, permitting routine beachings for transfer of personnel, equipment and vehicles. This vessel model can be outfitted with tankage to carry 200 barrels (approx. 10,000 gallons) of oil. The boat is powered by a Caterpillar 3208 diesel engine which drives Twin Disc reduction gears. Engine controls were supplied by Kobelt. Its first mission was a simulated oil spill drill with Marine Spill Response Corp. (MSRC) equipment and personnel, and U.S. and Canadian authorities. Specifically for the drill equipment, a five-ton auxiliary hydraulic power pack, an eight-ton reel of 60-inch oil boom and a Desmi-250 skimmer were added.
The Aqua Truck vessel was selected by Clean Casco Bay for its heavy duty construction, its barge design, its shallow water capability, its large deck space, its ability to transport heavy deck cargo and its ample maneuverability, even with a single engine. Steering controls for the vessel are from Jastram. Electronic equipment on the boat includes radar from Furuno, VHF radio from Motorola, electric panels from Newmar, GPS from Magellan and compass from Si-Tex.
A sophisticated hydraulic system enables the vessel to operate two skimmers and a crane at once, at idle speeds without affecting maneuverability, a feat aided by the special rudder design from Ran tan. For additional information on the capabilities of Atlantic Aqua Marine, Lindenau GmbH has delivered the 23,400-dwt tanker the MAT Wels to its owner the Partenreederei TMS "Wels" c/o Carl Buttner GmbH & Co. The double-hulled tanker was built for the transportation of chemicals, product oils and crude oil.
The M/T Wels and her recently delivered sister vessels, the M/T Dorsch and the M/T Conger, are the largest ships which the shipyard has ever built. They are reported to be the largest tankers under the German flag and belong to the Lindenau Tanker Class 2000 developments. The Wels was constructed under the class and supervision of Germanischer Lloyd and has received the class notation GL + 100 A5 E3 "Chemical Tanker Type I" "Oiltanker" and the GL + MC E3 AUT Inert.
The vessel has set standards on the safe and economic transport of chemicals and oils at sea by being constructed with a double hull. It also belongs in the Iceclass IA with a special stem and an ice abrasionresistant coating on the underside of the ship. The international tonnage measurement was also reduced by 14 percent due to the segregated ballast tank status (SBT).
The ship is powered by a MAN B&W main engine which provides a service speed of 15.5 knots at an output of 6,600 kW.
Accommodations for a crew of 28 are provided in the after deckhouse. The deckhouse was strictly separated form the funnel to avoid sound transmission. Arrangement of the crew cabins was developed in cooperation with the shipping company.
Navigation and electronic equipment includes an Atlas 9600 ARPA S-Band Rasterscan radar and an Atlas 9600 TM X-band Rasterscan Radar, as well as Satcom, direction finder, weather fax, Satnav, Decca, Loran C, Navtex and two VHFs.
For further information on the shipbuilding capabilities of Lindenau GmbH.
