Tuco Marine wins order for two hydrographic survey boats

NOVEMBER 2, 2017 — Faaborg, Denmark, based Tuco Marine Group has been awarded a contract by DALO (the Danish Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization) for two customized hydrographic survey boats.

Replacing two obsolete survey vessels, the boats will operate in Danish inland waters. Based on Tuco’s ProZero concept and have been designed to allow full use of the latest technology for hydrographic surveys, such as sonar and lidar.

They are designed to accommodate two hydrography specialists in addition to a dedicated helmsman.

The hull has been specially adapted to address two conflicting challenges: on the one hand, providing the low draft required to operate in uncharted shallow waters where there is a risk of running aground and, on the other hand, providing antiroll and directional stability.

The boats are equipped with jet drives and stabilizing features which make them highly agile and seaworthy.

The design enables more efficient surveys under changing weather conditions and the hydrodynamic profile of the hull reduces turbulence and vibration so as not to interfere with the highly sensitive measuring equipment. The efficient design enables extensive operations over large areas.

The advanced sonar equipment is fixed under the boat and recessed into the structure to protect it against adverse conditions. High performance sensors and processors that are able to capture and process the signals as well as correcting and managing multiform data streams constantly produce and store high quality information that accurately represent the actual sea floor.

The boats are built from composite materials which ensure low weight, high fuel efficiency and low emission of greenhouse gasses. Additionally, the need for maintenance is minimized just as handling of the boat on land is made easier.

Thanks to the low weight and the ProZero hull profile, the boats are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 25 knots under full loading conditions.

The cabin has been designed with close attention to ergonomics and working environment. The cabin is insulated to ensure easy communications under all operating conditions and the layout has been developed to facilitatie workflow coordination, not only during the survey but also during transit to and from the site.

“We are tremendously excited and proud that Defense Command Denmark has chosen us,” says Tuco CEO Jonas Pedersen. “We have been working hard and the signed contract really is a seal of approval of the technology and the products we have been developing and refining for years. We hope that the two boats can contribute to bringing the Defense Command equipment to an even higher level. We look forward to a strong collaboration not only now but also in the future.”