Americas News
Derecktor to Build Hybrid Electric Research Vessel
U.S.-based Derecktor Shipyards (Derecktor) Wednesday announced that the City University of New York and the Science and Resilience Institute has contracted the company to build a hybrid electric propelled research vessel, set to be the second in a series following the completion of the 65 ft research catamaran Spirit of the Sound.
Derecktor says the vessel will be built to U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T regulations, and will be used for research and educational purposes, operated out of Jamaica Bay, New York.
The vessel will feature silent operation of its hybrid system, making it suitable for use in highly sensitive research applications, says Derecktor.
The shipbuilder explains that in order to meet the researchers' focus on environmentally responsible operation with minimal impact on the local waters, the vessel will use keel coolers to reduce wastewater discharge that would normally result from using seawater to cooling the vessel's equipment.
"This, in addition to the reduced emissions of the BAE HybriDrive system, will create one of the most forward thinking and environmentally friendly vessels in operation today," said Derecktor.
In October 2014, Ship & Bunker reported that the Spirit of the Sound, built for the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut was said to feature 75 percent reduced fuel consumption.
In December, ABB Group (ABB) announced that it will provide "integral technology" to a "futuristic" hybrid desiel electric ferry concept, named Seasight by shipbuilder Brødrene Aa, set to operate in Western Norway.
