Germany's Federal Customs Service (Bundeszollverwaltung) formally placed a new multi-purpose vessel into service during a naming ceremony on Tuesday, March 18.
Built by local shipyard Fassmer, the vessel has been named Rugen after an island in the Baltic Sea. With a length of 67 metres, it is the largest vessel in the current active Bundeszollverwaltung fleet.
The propulsion system consists of four MTU 1,492kW main engines, MTU auxiliary engines, and electric motors. The main engines run on LNG and drive two controllable-pitch propellers to deliver a maximum speed in excess of 23 knots.
The vessel can be operated in different modes as required: purely gas-electric, purely gas-mechanical, and booster mode. When in booster mode, all four main engines and the electric motors can propel the vessel to speeds of up to 23 knots.
Liveaboard accommodations have been outfitted to ensure crew comfort during extended periods out at sea. Deck space is available at the stern for the housing, launch, and recovery of small response boats, which will also be built by Fassmer.