A Closer Look at Dynamic Navigation for High Speed Craft
FRC International launched the innovative ‘DYNAV’ dynamic navigation system for high speed craft at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden in October. The DYNAV launch event enabled attendees from Scandinavia and Europe to come together with the objective of improving seafarer safety, operational performance and interoperability on fast craft. Professional sectors organizations included Search & Rescue, Navy, Special Forces, Coast Guard, law enforcement, maritime pilots, maritime legislators, training organisation and boat builders.
SAM Electronics Equips Viking Grace
SAM Electronics, an L-3 company, has equipped Viking Line’s new 57,000-gt passenger ferry, Viking Grace, with a NACOS Platinum integrated navigation control system together with a Valmatic Platinum integrated automation system from its associate company, L-3 Valmarine. Built by STX Finland at its Turku yard and designed for cruising the shallow waters of the Finnish and Swedish archipelago, Viking Grace is the world’s largest LNG-fuelled ferry and the most environmentally friendly and energy-efficient vessel of its type. It is due to begin service this January and will comply with stringent 2015 Baltic regulations on gas emissions.
Swedish Navy Receives AUV's
During November and December 2011 the Swedish Navy received the last two of four state of-the-art AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) from the Danish company EIVA a/s. The AUVs are equipped with advanced sensors in the form of sonars and underwater cameras and they are designed to operate autonomously underwater following a mission route planned ahead. There is a multitude of purposes for which the AUVs can be used. For instance mine detection, visual inspection of the seabed, location of mission objects etc.
STX Finland, Viking Line Sign $315m Deal
STX Finland Oy and Viking Line ABP signed an agreement for the construction of an environmentally friendly, new generation cruise ferry for Viking Line. The agreement includes an option for a sister ship. The contract price is about $315m. The ship will be built at shipyard and will be delivered to Viking Line at the beginning of 2013. The signed agreement represents approximately 2600 man-years employment. The new cruise ferry will be the most environmentally friendly big passenger vessel to date. The vessel uses LNG as fuel and it has no marine emissions and its aerial emissions are extremely low. The vessel has been specially designed to operate in the delicate and shallow waters of the Finnish and Swedish archipelago. The wave forming and noise generation have been minimised.
