AUSTRALIAN shipbuilder Incat Crowther is to deliver a new research vessel to Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources after winning a competitive international tender for the project.
The company will deliver the 25-metre vessel next year, in partnership with Seacrest Marine. The DMCR will use the new vessel to patrol Thailand’s coastal environments and monitor the country’s fisheries and marine resources.
Incat Crowther technical manager Dan Mace said the vessel is based on a tried and tested catamaran design, and it will be tailored to the DMCR’s requirements.
“The aluminium hull for example, has been designed and developed following extensive model tank testing and has been proven to achieve market leading performance standards,” Mr Mace said.
“The upper deck of the vessel has also been designed to provide the captain with an optimal line of sight, while the inclusion of the crane ensures the crew can launch a tender quickly. The propulsion system allows the vessel to achieve maximum speeds over 30 knots and can easily cruise at 20 knots. The impressively low fuel burn helps to maximise the vessel’s operational efficiency.”
The vessel will be able to accommodate 12 crew and 16 passengers in six sleeping quarters.
The main deck features three of the vessel’s sleeping quarters, five bathrooms, a large mess, an outdoor dining area, galley and storeroom.
The upper deck features an office/operations control room and the captain and engineer’s cabin with ensuite. The hull deck features two crew cabins.
Seacrest Marine hosted a keel laying ceremony in August this year, attended by government officials and other dignitaries to mark this important milestone.
This project will see the DMCR and Seacrest Marine work together for the second time, following the delivery of the Incat Crowther 26 research vessel Pakarang to the DMCR in 2019.
