The first of two Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull ... - BMT Group

11 February 2004BMT DEVELOPS SWATH FERRY TO PROVIDEA SMOOTH RIDE FOR PASSENGERS IN HOLLANDThe first of two Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) vessels, designed by BMTNigel Gee and Associates Ltd, a subsidiary of British Maritime Technology Ltd(BMT), and built in Holland by the Damen Shipyards Group for the Province ofZeeland with principle design and building supervision from Sovereign Marine NV,has successfully completed sea trials. It will enter service on the choppy waters ofthe Western Scheldt in February with the second vessel following in April.BMT Nigel Gee and Associates’ SWATH design sets new standards for quietness,safety and comfort. Due to its small waterplane area and submerged torpedo-likehulls, the vessel is able to minimise the affect of surface wave motions to reducethe risk of passenger seasickness or weather cancellations.The first of two Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) vessels,designed by BMT for the Province of Zeeland in Holland,has successfully completed sea trials

The two vessels will travel at speeds of up to 16.5 knots on a 4 mile route betweenBreskens and Vlissingen in Holland. They will replace an existing car ferry servicefollowing the recent opening of a new tunnel under the estuary. Up to 181passengers (including up to 5 disabled people), 75 bikes and 20 mopeds will betransported on each vessel across the Western Scheldt up to 34 times per day.Constructed out of high tensile steel and aluminium, the ferries are designed tolast for a 30 year lifespan. The propulsion system is based on two MTU 12V 4000diesel engines, driving a Bakker Sliedrecht electric propulsion system comprisinggenerators and electric propulsion motors turning two fixed pitch propellers.The motion damping systems has been provided by Maritime Dynamics Inc., andconsists of four active stabilising fins positioned fore and aft on each of thefloaters controlled by a motion sensing system. The fins are positioned inboard onthe floaters, reducing the likelihood of damage when coming alongside the jetty.Nigel Gee, Managing Director of BMT Nigel Gee and Associates, commented: ‘BMTis delighted to have completed the design of these two ferries, which will provide avaluable service to local residents and holiday makers in the Zeeland area. Knownas " Prinses Máxima and “Prins Willem-Alexander”, the vessels combine comfort,quietness, safety speed and ease of maintenance, making them the ideal choice forthe choppy waters of the Western Scheldt.’– ENDS –

Notes to Editors1) British Maritime Technology Ltd (BMT)BMT is a leading, multi-disciplinary engineering and technology consultancy,specialising in design, design support, risk, safety and contract management andmarine surveying, principally in the defence, energy, environment, marine insuranceand transportation sectors.BMT invests significantly in research. Its customers are offered innovation throughindependence and integrity and are served by a network of international subsidiarycompanies. The assets of the company are held in beneficial ownership for its staff.Web site – www.bmt.org2) BMT Nigel Gee and Associates LtdBMT Nigel Gee and Associates is a leading design office for high speed and innovativeships and boats, offering a full service from initial concept to detail design for aninternational client base in the commercial, military and yacht sectors. Currentprojects include the first high speed car ferries to be built in the USA, a 50 knot navalresearch craft, the world’s fastest mega-yacht and several vessels based on thePentamaran patent.Web site – www.ngal.co.uk3) For further information please contact:Helen McInnes, Shona Benson or Chris WhiteBMT Press OfficeC/o RepublicTel: +44 (0) 20 7379 5000 Ext 229/230/228Fax: +44 (0) 20 7379 5133E-mail: helen@republicpr.com shona@republicpr.com or chris@republicpr.com