Low emission shallow draft port vessels

The Scanwell shallow draft survey vessel, which is available with hybrid propulsion, can be used for a wide variety of applications including port maintenance and infrastructure, offshore energy and scientific expeditions.

“Designing a vessel with a broad range of end users in mind like this can be a challenge – so I’m proud of what we have achieved here and we are confident that our vessel will fulfil a diverse range of market needs,” said Andy Page, managing director, Chartwell Marine.

Market demand

Mr Page said that the vessel range has been created in response to calls from the scientific community, ports and industrial surveyors. It’s available in multiple hull sizes – 10m, 12m, 15m and 19m versions.

Vessels with shallow draft capabilities are critical for port maintenance and expansion. Most channels in ports are dredged to a depth of five or six metres – but must be surveyed before initial dredging and for maintenance.

When sediment and particle deposition fill these port channels, operating depths are severely reduced.

The Scanwell can operate in waters of 1.5 metres – a parameter that Mr Page said could only be met with limited current market offerings, until now.

There are already two vessels on order – the first of which has been recently delivered, a 10m survey vessel and a 19m teaching hybrid vessel.

The hybrid teaching vessel is particularly well suited to its job role, owing to its quiet and comfortable operations. Loud engines make teaching challenging, while potentially disturbing marine life.

With options to equip seabed mapping, electronic scanning and launch sampling tools, the vessel also has space built in for diver equipment, enabling operations that encompass biomarine and geological surveying.