Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld-Giessendam recently delivered an exceptional vessel, the “Damen Patrol Vessel 1304 Hybrid”, designed and constructed for Waternet (the Water Network Foundation). The most striking features of this hybrid patrol vessel are that it is clean, quiet, and can sail under Amsterdam’s bridges along the through routes. The “Waterspreeuw” – meaning “Dipper” in English – was ceremonially named by the Amsterdam Executive Councillor Carolien Gehrels on 17 June 2013.
Reduced emissions: Waternet is an innovative water organisation that takes the entire water cycle as its basis. In order to achieve its sustainability objectives, it collaborates closely with other parties. By choosing a hybrid, multifunctional vessel, Waternet is taking the lead in reducing emissions from vessels within the municipality of Amsterdam. The city’s Air Quality Action Plan plays a key role. The Waterspreeuw will be used for inspections and patrols, and for enforcing various legislation and rules in Amsterdam’s canals and other waters.
Electric motor with powerful reserve: the Waterspreeuw can be powered entirely by electricity with a 130 kW electrically driven rudder propeller manufactured by Hydrosta. ES Technology supplied 13 lithium polymer batteries for the drive system, providing enough electric power for at least 6 hours at an average cruising speed of 10 km/h. The vessel also has a Steyr/AMK diesel generator set that complies with the European CCR3 standard for exhaust gas emissions set by the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine. This means that the engine easily complies with the CCR2 standard stipulated by the client.
The engine switches on automatically when the battery capacity falls below the minimum level. Using both drive systems, the Waterspreeuw has a top speed of 16 km/h; using the batteries alone, it can hold that speed for an hour. The engine provides additional capacity when necessary but basically the intention is for the vessel to operate on electric power. The Waterspreeuw is being supplied with a Zone 3 certificate issued by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT).
Green multi-tasker: the Waterspreeuw’s designers took account of the various different waters and bridges in and around Amsterdam. With its overall height of 1.80 metres, it can basically pass under all the bridges along the city’s through routes. The special hull design makes it a low-wash vessel, thus minimising inconvenience to houseboats during manoeuvres in Amsterdam’s busy canals. The rudder propeller and the 11 kW bow thruster mean that the Waterspreeuw is highly manoeuvrable in the narrow canals. The new vessel has its own 3-metre spud pole, meaning that its can moor anywhere without being dependent on the mooring facilities available. With the Waterspreeuw, Damen has created a genuine “green multi-tasker”.
Comments by Jos van Woerkum (Managing Director of Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld): "With the construction and ceremonial naming of the Waterspreeuw, Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld has once more provided a fine example of workmanship and customisation at the highest level. Our motto 'Just ask, and we’ll build anything that isn’t standard' really does apply to the Waterspreeuw. The vessel is highly versatile and meets the stipulated emissions standard, one of the conditions set by Waternet. We are also grateful to Waternet for being commissioned to carry out this challenging assignment after an intensive European tendering procedure."
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