Danish Companies Testing New Workboat Stabilizer

Two Danish companies have joined forces to test a novel workboat stabilizer for the first time at sea.

DACOMA’s groundbreaking Airkeel-technology will be integrated on a 7-meter test vessel from Tuco Marine's ProZero workboat range to demonstrate heel compensation and optimization of roll damping in waves.

The DACOMA stabilizer is based on the Airkeel, a submerged, air-filled flotation body mounted at the bottom of the hull. A computer-controlled mechanical drive system moves the Airkeel from side to side, stabilizing the boat against roll motion while at the same time increasing its buoyancy.

aims to increase seaworthiness and comfort at sea with reduced fuel consumption

“The great thing about our technology is that it allows our customers to extend their operations into the bad weather window, while at the same time saving money on the fuel bill. That’s unique,” explained DACOMA CEO and founder, Arnd Baurichter.

Beginning in early 2019, the DACOMA team in Svendborg managed to bring their patented stabilizer idea from drawing board to full size prototype within a year's time.

Baurichter said the feat would not have been possible without help from The Maritime Cluster of South Funen and funding from the Danish Maritime Fund and the Innovation Fund. He added that Tuco, located just 30 kilometers away, provides boat building expertise and market insight that will help DACOMA launch its product.

“It’s important for us to learn the full potential of the DACOMA stabilizer. Our fast and ultralight workboats are very versatile, and we are always looking to increase their operational functionality. Higher crane and load capacities are two of the interesting extra features we would like to see tested in the near future,” said Tuco CEO, Jonas Pedersen.