ASMAR Chile is building a modern and sophisticated Fishing and Oceanographic Research Vessel for the Chilean Army under the project named MEDUSA.

Simulation of the vessel

The contract was signed in December. The vessel designer is Skipsteknisk and the company obtained the order in concurrence with Rolls Royce Marine, Vik & Sandvik and CNP Freire.

The propulsion is a diesel electric 3,000kW main engine and the vessel is expected to reach a maximum speed of 14.5 knots and cruising speed of 11 knots.

The total length is 71.3m, the beam is 15.6m and accommodation is for 68 persons. The vessel complies with ICES 209 with reference to the submarine noise irradiation control.

The supply of machinery, fishing and oceanographic, was awarded to Spanish company Ibercisa. The general specifications (technical data, driven and control systems, etc.) were studied and defined in agreement with the technical departments of the Chilean Army, ASMAR, Skipsteknisk and Ibercisa.

The fishing winches are:

• 2 Electric Split Trawl Winches of 270kW, each one with a wire unitary capacity of 4,000m, Ø28mm

• 2 Electric Gilson Winches of 90kW, each one with a wire unitary capacity of 150m, Ø29mm

• 1 Double Electric Net Drum of 2 x 75kW and 2 x 12m3 of net capacity

• 1 Electric Net Drum of 160kW and 12m3 of net capacity

• 1 Electric Net Sounder Winch of 45kW and 4,500m, Ø11.2mm of coaxial cable capacity

For the split main winches one automatic trawl system has been installed and all of the electric motors fitted in this machinery have a progressive speed and pull control based on frequency converters. This means that 80% more speed and 40% more pull can be obtained than specified as nominal.

A group of six oceanographic winches is composed of:

• 2 Electric Oceanographic Winches (Geophysics I y II), each one of 110kW and 10,000m, Ø16mm capacity

• 1 Electric Oceanographic Winch (CTD) of 37kW and 6,000m. Ø8.1mm capacity

• 2 Auxiliary Electric Winches, each one of 22kW and 2,000m Ø8mm capacity

• 1 Electric Oceanographic Winch (Acoustic) of 37kW and 1,000m Ø8mm capacity

Ibercisa's machinery is due to be delivered in 2009 and the vessel itself is due to be delivered in 2010.

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