VESSEL REVIEW | Meermin IV – Dutch waterway authority welcomes coastal survey vessel

The Scheldt River Water Board (Waterschap Scheldestromen) of the Netherlands has taken delivery of a new survey vessel built by the Holland Shipyards Group.

The 15.15- by 4.9-metre Meermin IV ("Mermaid IV") replaces an older and slightly smaller vessel that had been in the operator's fleet for nearly 40 years. The newer boat also offers additional onboard space but is designed to accommodate some of the existing survey equipment on the earlier Meermin. The operator decided to use the existing survey equipment on the newer boat as it is still up-to-date.

Meermin IV will be operated primarily in the coastal waters of Zeeland province, particularly along a 450-kilometre stretch up to a maximum distance of five nautical miles from shore, while a draught of only 1.05 metres will enable it to perform missions in more restrictive areas. Its operational profile will involve taking detailed measurements of successive 100-metre-long sections.

The boat is equipped with two Danfoss Editron permanent magnet motors, each with a capacity of 85 kW, and a variable speed generator. This arrangement ensures optimum fuel consumption and operational reliability by automatically switching the generators on and off depending on navigational requirements.

For hydrographic survey tasks, the vessel is equipped with both a single-beam and a multibeam echosounder. The other electronics include a JRC radar and other equipment from Echopilot, Simrad, and Saab. The electrical installation was completed by Hydrauvision, which also supplied the boat's Danfoss Editron motors. Hydrauvision said Meermin IV's design also takes into account future plans to have it converted into a battery-powered fully electric vessel.

The wheelhouse also has space for a survey workstation. The vessel's other accommodation spaces include a toilet with shower, a mess, and a galley. Work on the interiors was provided by Hoogendoorn.

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