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In-depth Issue 14
Waterjet
propulsion power
Despite the current economic downturn, transport needs still have to
be met. Operators of high-speed ferries continue to modernise their
fleets and improve their routes. Rolls-Royce is there to provide the
waterjets that incorporate the latest technology for high efficiency.
The 107m Austal ferries ordered by operator Vitu Ferries will operate on a
route between Malta and Scily and will be propelled by four Kamewa 125S3
waterjets for a service speed of about 39 knots.
V
irtu Ferries in Malta has ordered a 107m long
catamaran ferry from Austal in Australia, which will
carry up to 800 passengers and 230 cars at about 39
knots on a route between Malta and Sicily. On delivery
scheduled for mid-2010, the new ferry will join Maria
Dolores, a 68m catamaran from the same yard that went
into service in 2006, greatly expanding capacity on the
Malta-Italy link.
Based on Austal’s proven large catamaran ferry
technology including active ride control, Virtu’s new
vessel is tailored to the requirements of the route. As
an alternative to carrying a full complement of cars, the
vehicle decks are configured for 342 lane-metres for
trucks plus 45 cars.
The new Kamewa S3 series waterjets will provide the
thrust needed to give the 39 knot service speed. Four
Kamewa 125S3 waterjets, two in each hull, will each
be driven by a 9,100kW diesel engine. These waterjets
incorporate the latest Rolls-Royce technology with
increased efficiency, reduced weight and lower life-cycle
costs.
Two smaller Austal catamarans recently delivered to
Saudi Arabia also feature S3 series Kamewa waterjets,
in this case 80S3 units. Jazan and Farasan operate a 25
nautical mile route linking Jazan in the south of Saudi
Arabia with Farasan island, carrying tourist and commuter
traffic. These 69m long aluminium vessels have seating for
650 passengers, prayer rooms, food service, and a vehicle
deck suitable for both cars and trucks in a drive-through
layout with bow and stern ramps. Each catamaran has
four waterjets, each powered by a 2,880kW diesel engine
to give a speed of 32 knots at 90 per cent maximum
The recently delivered Farasan and Jazan, 69m Austal catamarans are the
first to be fitted with the new Kamewa S3 waterjets.
continuous rating. Jazan and Farasan are the last two in
a four-vessel order placed by the Saudi Arabian Ministry
of Finance. The first two were larger Austal Auto Express
88-class fast ropax ferries also propelled by four Kamewa
waterjets and delivered last year. They were subsequently
given to the Egyptian government to improve ferry
services across the Red Sea for pilgrims travelling to
Mecca as well as business and leisure customers, and are
in service on the 100-nautical mile route between Dibba
in Saudi Arabia and Safaga in Egypt.
Waterjets from the Kamewa FF aluminium range have
been selected to propel fast crewboats for the Asian
offshore industry. The Indonesian shipbuilder PT Steadfast
Marine has completed its first boat of this type, the 16.5m
long Samudra Mutiara.
This yard had traditionally built in steel, but two years
ago decided to diversify into aluminium construction.
To make this move it ordered two ‘design and material’
packages from Damen in the Netherlands. The design
chosen from the Damen portfolio was the Fast Crew
Supplier 1605, and Damen supervised construction.
Samudra Mutiara has an aluminium hull and FRP
superstructure. Two 448kW high-speed diesel engines
are coupled to two Kamewa FF 375S waterjets which
give a speed of 28 knots. This crewboat has seating for 27
people and is operated by a crew of two.
Rolls-Royce has delivered a FF 240 waterjet with
electronic control system for an Unmanned Sea Vehicle
(USV) developed for the German Navy. A USV can
conduct operations where deploying human beings
would be extremely hazardous, for example in capturing
drifting contact mines.
www.rolls-royce.com
Rheinmetall is integrating robotic
components into a Watercat M8 fast
attack boat made by Marine Alutech
in Finland. Weighing just under two
tonnes and measuring approximately
eight metres in length, the boat has
a top speed of 35 knots. It will initially
be used for evaluation purposes,
but it can operate in manned mode,
autonomously or in remote control
mode, and also features automatic
waypoint navigation.
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Rolls-Royce has delivered a
FF 240 waterjet with electronic
control system for an Unmanned
Sea Vehicle (USV) developed for
the German Navy.
[RW]
A FF240 waterjet with electronic controls will allow a M8
fast attack craft to operate as an Unmanned Sea Vehicle.
New 16.5m fast crewboats to serve the Asian
offshore industry are powered by a pair of
FF375 waterjets for a speed of 28 knots.