M/V Tanner Christened in Texas

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District recently christened a unique 48-ft. vessel for use at its moorage facility. M/V Tanner - christened in honor of Sydney H. Tanner who retired from the Galveston District, USACE, after providing exceptional service to the district and the nation for more than 33 years - was christened recently in Texas by the Tanner family. The 48-ft. utilizes the uniquely innovative Stolkraft hull form, and will be put into service surveying the coastal waterways in the Galveston District. Art Anderson Associates assessed the match of the Stolkraft hull to the Gaveston District's specific requirements for a survey launch, and provided the plans and specifications for the Tanner's design. The Stolkraft is a hull form, patented worldwide, with applications to high-speed vessels. It has been proven in service in many commercial vessels and pleasure craft around the world. Art Anderson Associates owns the U.S. patent for the Stolkraft hull form, which was originally developed in Australia by the late aeronautical engineer, Mr. Leo D. Stolk. The Stolkraft hull consists of a trimaran shape forward that transforms into a catamaran aft. As the vessel moves forward, it forces air beneath the scoops formed by the tri-hulled forebody. The air acts as a cushion that decreases frictional resistance, provides additional lift, and decreases fuel consumption. Tanner's design provides the capability to operate in higher, rougher sea conditions than is possible with the Galveston District's current survey launches. Another unique feature of the Tanner is a telescoping center-mounted multi-beam sonar that can be deployed by opening a door in the bottom of the vessel, and lowering the unit below the hull line to allow full coverage (3-D) mapping of the channels surveyed. Using this design, the vessel is able to conduct bottom surveys at speeds up to 10 knots.