Damen to Launch Composite Water Bus
(Photo: Damen)
(Image: Damen)
Damen said it is set to launch its first composite Water Bus as the prototype undergoes sea trials in the next few weeks.
According to the shipbuilder, the new vessel offers reduced fuel consumption, less maintenance, no corrosion or fatigue problems and is very robust. The new Water Bus has also been designed to limit noise and vibrations, making it more comfortable for passengers.
“This is a prototype for the first of the new generation Damen Water Bus,” said Marcel Elenbaas, Damen Design & Proposal Engineer - Fast Ferries. “The Damen Water Bus is the best fit for highly congested urban areas, providing a simple and efficient way of making use of natural waterways, and consequently integrating into the public transport network. Hence the reason we took the decision to invest in developing this new series.”
The Damen Water Bus has a slender hull, less weight than a traditional aluminum 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 maneuverable vessel has a capacity up to 100 passengers.
This first vessel for public transportation produced at Damen Shipyards Antalya, which specializes in composite professional workboat series suitable for heavy-duty operations, the Water Bus can easily be adapted to specific customer requirements, and the selected composites’ production process facilitates a swift delivery to clients, Damen said. This next generation Water Bus is also built with high quality vacuum infusion technology, creating a “difficult to penetrate closed cell, epoxy sandwich structure,” Elenbaas stressed.
The Water Bus is equipped with two, forward facing, double-screw podded propulsion units, which reduce vibrations and thereby increases passenger comfort, besides reducing fuel consumption. Additionally, the exhaust of these units is under water, further reducing noise and vibrations. The vessel is designed for easy and efficient boarding, and passengers have panoramic views from the large windows on the sides and top deck.
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.
Damen Shipyards Group has long produced water taxis, water buses and ferries, mainly built from aluminum and steel and intended for intensive public transport operations. Damen Shipyards noted it is capable of offering the complete infrastructure system for water buses including jetties and bunkering stations, as well as training and services packages.
