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J.R. NAVIGATOR


PRESS RELEASE
163’ High Speed Research
Vessel
by
DeJong & Lebet, Inc.
In November
2000, Freeport Shipbuilding, Inc. of
Freeport
,
Florida
delivered a 163’, 32-knot aluminum monohull research vessel.
The project
constituted a major milestone in DeJong
& Lebet, Inc.’s entrance into the high-performance workboat field.
This
totally new design is a significant milestone in establishing DeJong
& Lebet, Inc. as a major player in the design of high-performance
workboats. The design parameters for
this unique vessel included shallow draft and specific speed requirements, all
of which were met. To accomplish
this, the vessel was designed with three soft mounted MTU/DDC 16V 4000
propulsion engines each rated at 2,380 HP @ 2100 RPM, each driving a
Hamilton
model 811 water jet. The drive
train between the engines and jets consisted of remote, hard mounted, ZF model
BW755 reverse/reduction gear coupled to the engines through a flexible Centa
coupling. Cardan shaft assemblies
manufactured by Driveline, Inc. completed the link between the gears and
waterjets. The combined components
resulted in a high speed, vibration free vessel.
The less
than 300-gross ton vessel is of all aluminum construction and has an ABS
unlimited loadline. The unusual
vessel is fitted with a Hydra-Pro model 40/18K hydraulic pedestal crane with a
capacity of 18 L. tons, at 10’ and 4 LT @ 40’.
The helo deck, designed to handle a 6,000 lb. helicopter also provides
shelter for two 20’x8’ scientific modules.
Special deck reinforcements allow movement of these modules around the
aft deck and over the stern to shore.
The vessel
is equipped with two tender vessels. The
larger vessel is a 28’ aluminum Packman jet drive landing craft, built by
Munson Manufacturing. The second
tender is a smaller RIB type vessel.
Major equipment/features is as follows:
Length
Overall:
163’-0”, excluding jets and guards
Beam
Amidship:
32’-0”
Hull Depth
Amidship:
13’-6”
Fuel
Capacity:
52,000 gallons
Range:
4,000 nautical miles
Fresh Water
Capacity:
500 gallons
PRESS RELEASE
163’ High Speed Research Vessel
Water
Makers (two):
Sea Recovery 1200 GPD each
Main
Engines (three):
MTU/DDC 16V 40000 @ 2380 HP each
Water Jets
(three):
Hamilton Model 811
Generators
(two):
Cummins 6BTA 5.9M/99kW
Bowthruster:
American, Electric Driven
Fuel Oil
Centrifuge:
Alfa Laval
Anchor
Winch:
McElroy
Capstans:
Ideal
HVAC:
Carrier Chillwater System
Engine Room
Ventilation:
Delta T blowers and louvers
Hydraulic
Deck Crane:
Hydro Pro model 40/18
The
crew/scientist accommodations below Main Deck consist of six four-person cabins
and one VIP stateroom. A laundry
room and two heads complete the below deck accommodation spaces.
The Main Deckhouse includes a full Galley, large Mess Area, Captain’s
Cabin with private head, a Wet Locker, Survey Room, Walk-in Cooler/Freezer,
Common Head, and large Dry Stores/Pantry area.
The Pilothouse, located above the Main Deckhouse, features 360º
visibility. The electronics package
was state-of-the-art designed for unlimited oceans service and extensive weight,
trim, and speed/power calculations resulted in a vessel that met displacement
and speed requirements dead-on. At
the vessel’s lightship displacement of 191 LT, plus minimum liquids and crew,
the design speed of approximately 32-knots was achieved.
Fully loaded, the vessel is expected to displace 370 tons and run at
20-knots.
The vessel has successfully operated for more than eight months and has
met or exceeded all design requirements in every aspect, a tribute to the
combined efforts of the Owner, the Designers, and the Builder.
The
vessel was extended in 2003 at Atlantic Marine, DeJong and Lebet was not
involved in the engineering for this modification.



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