Innovative hybrid-powered boat under construction

 

This innovative 8-meter hydrographic boat is currently under construction for the Port of La Rochelle, France. It will provide bathymetric surveys to replace the previous unit.

 

• Customized design adapted to the client's needs
  

 

This boat has been designed to best meet the needs of the crew teams from the Port of La Rochelle.

The hull shape will allow the performances, seaworthiness and stability required for this type of program.

Its deck plan and equipment will allow the crew to work in the best conditions of comfort and safety. Inside the wheelhouse, volumes and workspace have been optimized.

 

• Aluminium, the best material for this boat

 

Aluminium is the best-suited material for this boat.

« We wanted to have an aluminum boat," says Philippe Texier, head of the maritime access and terrestrial infrastructure department at the La Rochelle port, because it is a material that allows for changes over time, compared to a hull in polyester on which this type of operation is more difficult ».

 

• Innovative bi-propulsion

 

One of the specificities of this boat is the bi-propulsion : an inboard diesel engine and two out-board electric engines.

The transits between the home port and the acquisition areas will be at a speed of 20-25 knots via the main inboard engine. Electric propulsion will be activated during the bathymetric data acquisition phase. Two outboard electric engines will allow to work in total silence and without impact on the environment. Charging of the batteries will be done at the pier during the night.

 

• Very precise data acquisition equipment
  

 

The boat will be equipped with a multibeam echosounder instead of the single beam sounder used until now.

"Instead of performing a seabed scan on a series of points as before, the sounder will run a continuous scan over a width of up to five times the water depth (10 meters of water height representing 50 meters measuring width continuously). The collected data will be more precise, allowing to refresh more regularly the bathymetric charts of the Port and, on the other hand, to be in conformity with the standards IHO (International Hydrographic Organization) ".

• Functional and comfortable layouts
  

 

The interior will be organized around 3 spaces: the pilot console, the hydrographic station and the workstation. A toilet is provided at the front.

Each side of the wheelhouse will be glazed, providing the crew with excellent 360 ° vision on the outside and the aft deck.
The inverted windshield will ensure good visibility whatever the weather conditions (rain, sea spray).

Many chests and lockers will allow the storage of documents, electronic and informatic equipment.

The wheelhouse will be insulated and equipped with heating for the comfort of the crew.

Launch of this new boat is scheduled for the end of the year 2019.

 

 

• Specification

• 3D images of the future boat
  

 

Images © Bemad Naval