Volvo Penta IPS Channel Trip 2013

1,850 nautical miles, seven legs, six stopovers and 27 days

This summer, Volvo Penta takes one of its test boats down to the English Channel to show dealers, customers, press and other interested parties the benefits of the Volvo Penta IPS high performance pod system. One of the stopovers is at Southampton SEAWORK exhibition in the U.K. This trip is inspired by the Volvo Penta IPS Baltic Trip that was performed during summer 2011.

The test boat, PTA80, chosen for this trip is one of Volvo Penta’s regular test boats, used at the Volvo Penta Marine Test Center outside Gothenburg. PTA80 is 72 feet long and powered by the new twin IPS900 at 700 hp each. With a displacement of 36 tons she has a top speed of 27 knots.

Environmental focus
Volvo Penta IPS offers radical cuts in exhaust emissions. The engines that comply with IMO NOx, EU IWW, EPA Tier 2 and the upcoming EPA Tier 3 are a good start. But the main environmental benefit is that IPS means up to 30% cut in fuel consumption compared with straight shafts and water jet propulsion – thereby also reducing also CO2 emissions dramatically. This environmental performance is very much in tune with the environmental concerns in the channel region.

Six stopovers
The trip will have stopovers in six harbors along the route. Each stopover will stage a presentation by the Volvo Penta team together with demonstration of the vessel taking advantage of the boat’s great maneuverability and performance with IPS. Stopover hosts are Volvo Penta Centers, each one an important part of the Volvo Penta service network. Every Center is a highly competent marine commercial dealer that handles sales, service and support. The Center is also responsible for several smaller dealer companies in its region.

SEAWORK
On June 24, the PTA80 will moor in Southampton for the SEAWORK exhibition. The new Volvo Penta IPS900 is a highly attractive propulsion system for patrol and coast guard vessels. Here, the customer gets top-class performance and handling, with 30 percent reduced fuel cost. The PTA80 will be available for demo trips, complemented by a traditional display stand featuring an IPS demo unit.

Web and blog
Keeping pace with the time, the channel trip will be well documented, as it happens. Apart from the usual comments and photos, visitors shall also see hard facts: the fuel economy achieved, the distance covered, average speed and more. The blog is accessible at www.volvopenta.com from June 8, 2013.

Technical data
Boat type: PTA80
Owner: Volvo Penta Marine Test Center
Length OA: 22 meters
Beam: 5.2 meters
Engines: two Volvo Penta D13-700 DST, two 700 hp
Propulsion: Volvo Penta IPS900 Rating 3
Displacement: 36 tons
Top speed: 27 knots
The route: June 8 Gothenburg – 11 Bremerhaven – 14 Ijmuiden – 18 Dunkerque – 21 Cherbourg –
24 Southampton – July 4 Strandby – 5 Gothenburg

www.volvopenta.com