Damen Delivers Patrol Vessel

Damen Shipyards Gorinchem recently delivered the Damen Stan Patrol 2005 RV160 – Wycker Meer to the Koninklijke Marechaussee (Royal Dutch Military Police), which differs only in detail from ‘Kokmeeuw’ and ‘Mantelmeeuw’, two Damen Stan Patrols 2005, which were delivered to the Dutch Customs earlier in 2004.

The Damen Stan Patrol 2005 is a further development on the Damen Stan Patrol 1805, of which Damen has built 13 vessels for the Dutch Police in the past years. The construction of the aluminium hull and deckhouse of ‘RV160 – Wycker Meer’ was subcontracted to a foreign yard. The complete outfitting was carried out at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem.

The twin-screw propulsion system consists of the following components:

· Main engines : 2x MAN D 2840 LE401

· Total power : 1206 bkW at 2300 rpm

· Gearboxes : 2x ZF 550 A, with trolling valves

· Propellers : 2x Fixed Pitch propellers, make Promarin Although the ship will sail at relatively slow patrol speeds most of the time, she can achieve a maximum speed of 23.5 knots. To enhance manoeuvrability at slow speed in narrow waterways and harbours, the gearboxes are fitted with trolling valves and a bow thruster has been installed.

Special features of the ship are:

· Hydraulic collapsible mast, for low air-draft

· Hydraulic Palfinger PC 2300 MBV1 deck crane

· Duarry SB Cat 400 RIB-type tender

During the design and construction of the vessel, much attention was given to minimize vibration and noise levels. For this purpose, not only the engines but also the complete deckhouse is fitted on flexible mounts. Apart from this, floating floors are used throughout the vessel. As a result, the noise levels are remarkably low for an aluminium high-speed patrol vessel: 61 dB(A) in the deckhouse at the maximum speed of 23.5 knots.