Vessel design expert, Chartwell Marine, has been selected to design and specify build a new U.S. hybrid vessel. The 65-ft catamaran has been designed to meet EPA Tier 4 emission standards and will set a benchmark for vessel operators and boat builders in the U.S. and elsewhere.
The hull form of the new catamaran has been optimized by computational fluid dynamic testing.
Driven by the emergence of new industries — such as offshore wind — the diversity and scope of workboat operations off the U.S. East Coast is increasing rapidly. Simultaneously, offshore wind vessel operators, public institutions, and port authorities must adapt to increasingly stringent emissions regulations.
“To be effective in next-generation vessel design, Chartwell Marine has invested in the latest state-of-the-art techniques in tank testing and computational fluid-dynamics modeling,” said Andy Page, Naval Architect and Managing Director, Chartwell Marine. “This is enabling us to create signature designs that will keep existing and future operators ahead of the curve when it comes to regulatory compliance and meeting evolving operational requirements.”
Chartwell Marine and its partners won this design project following a competitive tender launched by a leading New England institution. The firm was selected on the basis of its industry-leading track record in developing high-performance catamarans and hull forms for the offshore wind sector, and low emission, hybrid architecture.
These design considerations will be made possible by an advanced new catamaran hull form that has been optimized via Computational Flow Dynamics (CFD) modeling, enabling maximum maneuverability and stability resulting in a smoother and safer ride.
“The future of vessel procurement will look quite different to its current forms today, as operators worldwide begin to respond to increasingly stringent requirements for low emission craft,” added Page. “With emerging industries such as offshore wind changing the landscape of maritime activity off the East Coast, the USA in particular will be a major growth market for innovative new vessels.”
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind
