New SWATH Design Boasts Flexibility, Efficiency

Alan C. McClure Associates (ACMA), a leading naval architecture and engineering firm, recently completed the design development of a new SWATH (Small Waterplane Area, Twin Hull) vessel that lends itself to a variety of operations options. The proposed vessel will be 92 feet in length, with a beam of 46 feet - 8 inches and displacement of 240 LT. The new vessel's design is based on a variation of the technology used by ACMA's in the development of the 120-foot STILLWATER RIVER, a SWATH crewboat built for Trico Marine Operators, Inc., that has been successfully operating for Petrobras offshore Brazil for the past five years. The operational speed of ACMA's new SWATH has been reduced from 28+ knots to 20 - 25 knots to accommodate a variety of conventional propulsion system combinations (diesel/reduction-gear w/CP or FP wheels). The flexibility of this design will allow the vessel to perform a variety of missions including offshore personnel transport, harbor ferry, oceanographic, dinner cruise/excursion, rescue and light cargo/emergency equipment transportation. The vessel can be configured with crew accommodations for six (6), with a functional galley and a full HVAC system for the comfort of the crew and passengers. The refinement of vessel structure, including its aluminum construction, and the utilization of "off-the-shelf" equipment has also led to reduced construction costs that will, in turn, reduce the operating costs over the vessels life. Hull structure has also been simplified so as to increase the number of shipyards that will be able to construct the vessel. The addition of a bow thruster (retractable or tunnel) and independent steering system makes the vessel extremely maneuverable, with dynamic-positioning capability in mind. ACMA has also selected the latest automating and monitoring electronics for efficient vessel operations so the vessel can operate with an unmanned engine room. And, the vessel is designed to meet the latest USCG, IMO, SOLAS and various class and flag rules, depending on the owner's requirements.