Malaysian-built Fisheries Research Vessel for Bangladesh
Photo: Alan Haig-Brown
Photo: Alan Haig-Brown
Photo: Alan Haig-Brown
The Sumber Samudra Sdn. Bhd. of Perak, Malaysia recently delivered a 37.8-meter fisheries research and survey vessel. Built for the Bangladesh Department of Fisheries, the R/V Meen Shandhani completed official sea trials in June 2015. Additional trials for the fishing gear were carried out in late 2015.
With all trials complete, the vessel crews will receive training as a part of the build package. After making her delivery trip to her homeport of Chittagong, Bangladesh she will undertake fisheries research in the Bay of Bengal. This sea is rich in fisheries resources but adequate research to establish sustainable allowable catches will be enhanced by the work carried out onboard the R/V Meen Shandhani.
The new vessel, capable of fishing a wide range of trawl gear and traps, has both wet and dry labs for scientists. With a capacity for up to 28 crew and researchers the boat will add to the growing work on sustainable fisheries that is being undertaken by the nations of Southeast and South Asia. It will also be equipped for monitoring the Bay of Bengal waters for salinity and other variables that are becoming increasingly important to track aspects of climate change.
Main engine power for the R/V Meen Shandhani is a Cummins QSK38-M with the heavy duty rating of 1,400 HP at 1,800 RPM. Electric power for the vessel is supplied by a pair of 150 kW, 50 Hz main generators each powered by a Cummins QSB7-DM engine. The generators have synchronizing capability. There is also a Cummins 4BTA3.9-DM-powered 30 kW standby gen set.
Classification of the vessel has been carried out by Bureau Veritas. It has notation (BV) +HULL, +MACH, SPECIAL SERVICE/RESEARCH SHIP, UNRESTRICTED NAVIGATION.
