GREAT SHIPS OF 2014R/V Neil Armstrong A multi-faceted explorer of the seas he Ocean Class Auxiliary Gen- strong’s mission area. standards. Completing the noise damp- drive diesels, use of the combinator con-eral Oceanographic Research The ships are 238 ft. in length over- ening goal, designers chose systems, de- trol is unusual in variable-speed electric (AGOR) vessel hull number all, have a sustained speed of 12 knots ? ned equipment locations, and designed drive systems. The combinator increas-T27 started its of? cial life as the and travel over 11,000 nautical miles special installation methods with acous- es operational ? exibility by allowing the R/V Neil Armstrong, the ? rst research without refueling. In addition, they have tics as a priority. operator to set the propeller at its most vessel named after a space explorer. The the most modern scienti? c laboratory fa- Siemens installed its new Blue system, ef? cient setting across a range of opera-ship was designed by Guido Perla and cilities and workshops a? oat, high-tech an advanced, multi-drive, low-voltage tions including heavy towing and cruis-Associates and built at Dakota Creek In- computer and oceanographic equipment, system manages the speed of various AC ing.Design speci? cations were stringent dustries (DCI). R/V Neil Armstrong will and hotel facilities to support 24 scien- propulsion motors controlling the pro- for deck cranes and winches. They replace the R/V Knorr, in service since tists and a crew of 20. They are built to pellers, stern thruster and bow thruster. needed the capacity to load equipment 1968, one year before Armstrong’s walk ABS Under 90 Meter rules, and will be The system provides enhanced reliabil- weighing more than 20,000 pounds in-on the moon. The R/V Knorr, AGOR- certi? ed as A1, Circle E, AMS, ACCU, ity with multiple failsafe features, lower cluding the deployment of ROVs, buoys 15, is retiring after logging over one NIBS, Ice Class D0, and UWILD. The maintenance costs, increased ef? ciency, and other heavy equipment. The stern million miles in service to the Navy and design is also compliant with 46CFR and increased operational ease for the frame required a minimum of 12-foot in-WHOI. Initial vessel construction for the Subchapter U (Oceanographic Vessels). crew. Reduced fuel consumption re- board and outboard reach. As designed, two-ship, $145-million-dollar project Working deck space is a premium in sults in lower greenhouse gas emissions. the frame provides 15 feet of clearance is funded by NAVSEA who will retain oceanographic work. The AGOR ves- Siemens is also supplying the majority above the deck and 27 feet of clear space ownership of the vessel. Scientists from sels have 2,557 sq. ft. of clear deck space of the electrical switchgear, the ACCU between the block attachment points, WHOI and around the world will be the with 1,873 sq ft of that space on the open automation, and condition-based moni- all while maintaining a Dynamic Safe primary users conducting year-round re- aft deck. Design speci? cations included toring system. The vessel uses four vi- Working Load of 30,000 pounds through search in the North Atlantic and Arctic being fully operational in Sea State 4 bration-isolated Cummins QSK38-DM the full range of motion. Allied Marine Oceans. WHOI will contribute $350,000 and able to handle dynamic positioning main generators providing a maximum supplied the stern frame along with the a year for maintenance and operation of relative to a ? xed position in Sea State 5 of 3952 kW integrated electric power for portable TK4-30 portable crane and the the vessel. Research will include map- with a 35-knot wind and 2-knot current. all functions of the ship, including pro- TK 70-70 aft-deck Main Crane. It also ping of the sea? oor, launching of buoys, Additionally, the ship had to be as op- pulsion. The integrated diesel-electric supplied the Motion Compensated CTD ROVs and other equipment, studying erationally quiet as possible. A great plant allows for multiple generator con- Handling System and the Starboard Side how currents affect acoustic signatures, deal of ocean research involves listening. ? gurations, ensuring the diesel engines Handling Device, both of which extend microbial content of the northern waters, Excessive ship noise would negate that operate at peak ef? ciency at all times. to the waterline for improved safety and discovering how climate change and sea effort. GPA’s unique hull design meets A unique feature of the electric propul- load control.level rise are impacting the North Atlan- the Bubble Sweepdown performance re- sion will be a “combinator” style con- Markey Machinery supplied two elec-tic, and how the ocean in turn impacts quirement of the original speci? cations trol function integrating management of tric-motor driven CAST-6-125 Hydro-climate changes. The focus will be on by diverting bubbles away from the sen- motor speed and propeller pitch on the graphic Winches, and the DETW-9-11 the entire eco-system. The physics, bi- sitive sonar area. Model tank tests per- Hundested-supplied Controllable Pitch Traction Winch, both with AC Variable ology and chemistry of the high latitude formed in Poland con? rmed the Phase 1 Propellers. Although fairly common in Frequency Drives System and electric oceans will fall within the Neil Arm- design efforts met the Navy’s exacting controllable pitch systems with direct motors for precise control. AGOR 27 - R/V Neil ArmstrongYard ......Dakota Creek Industries (DCI), Designer ....Guido Perla and Associates Two ships, $145mOwner .........................................NAVSEAOperator .........................................WHOIGPA designedClass ................................................ABSMain engines ..........................CumminsDiesel Electric propulsionPropulsion System ......Siemens Marine Cranes ...............................Allied Marine Winches ...................Markey Machinery Sonar .....................Kongsberg MaritimeSurvey ...................................Sonardyne Design ...Guido Perla & Associates, Inc. Diesel generatos ..............4 x Cummins Propulsion Drive ......................SiemensWinches ......................................MarkeySurvey Systems ....................KongsbergA-Frame, Crane ...............Allied SystemsRescue Boat Davit ..........Schat HardingStern Thruster........Schottel, 1x 620kW Bow Thrusters ......White Gill, 1x 686kWEmergency Generator .MTU, 1x 210kW (Photo courtesy of Gary McGrath, WHOI)50 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • DECEMBER 2014MR #12 (50-57).indd 50 MR #12 (50-57).indd 50 12/2/2014 2:10:50 PM12/2/2014 2:10:50 PM