Volvo Penta powers new offshore emergency response craft

Volvo Penta has delivered three IPS drives that are powered by the company’s D13-700 diesel engine for integration onto Southeast Ocean Response Services’ new offshore emergency response craft ‘Fort Ripley’.

The recently commissioned, US Coast Guard-certificated, 64ft aluminum boat, has been constructed by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos, with design support from C. Raymond Hunt Associates.

Southeast Ocean Response Services president John Cameron said: "We chose the Volvo Penta triple IPS system because it has the power we need to get offshore to the scene of an incident rapidly, while also having the versatility to provide dedicated power to the firepump as needed.

"Certainly, the predicted 30% improved fuel efficiency, which we actually exceeded in trials, along with the EPA Tier III technology, made this system the obvious choice."

Capable of being controlled from the wheelhouse or either of the two aft docking stations via a three-axis joystick, the IPS is integrated with dual counter-rotating forward-facing propellers that are aimed at boosting efficiency, as well as augmenting manoeuvrability.

Further, the Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) enables completely automatic hands-off accurate station-keeping under GPS control.

Mainly aimed at allowing vessels to comply with federal needs for rapid offshore firefighting, salvage and emergency response, the vessel will also be deployed as a fireboat in Charleston Harbour; a supply boat for ships at anchor; as well as a further launch for the Charleston Pilots and other marine operators.

Volvo Penta of the Americas president Ron Huibers said: "The combination of the Hunt-designed hull and our IPS drives with DPS sets a new standard in terms of speed, maneuverability, fuel economy and seaworthiness to meet multiple mission requirements.

"This vessel represents the future of the next generation of multi-purpose response boats."

Features of the new Fort Ripleyinclude 3,500 GPM dual-monitor foam firefighting system; a diver platform; dual-purpose breathing apparatus recharging system; 1,000lb crane; four-ton deck cargo capacity; VHF and satellite voice communications; day/night cameras with satellite data uplink; and a Pyrolance steel-penetrating nozzle system.

---

Image: Fort Ripley offshore emergency response craft. Photo: courtesy of Peter Boyce / Hunt Design.