Danish builder Tuco Marine is currently developing and constructing a new range of fast workboats.
The first Tuco carbon air supported vessel (ASV) has been designed to demonstrate and prove the concept for several applications; offshore windfarm support being one of them. It has a length of 17.7 metres, a beam of 5.2 metres and is powered by Volvo Penta engines.
The carbon ASV could also be used as an OSV, crew boat, fire-fighting craft or patrol boat among other vessel applications.
The selected ASV hull is a result of more than a decade of research and technological development. A reduction in hull resistance of almost 40 per cent has been scientifically documented.
Compared with conventionally hulled vessels constructed from aluminium or GRP, the new carbon ASVs may reduce weight by as much as 50 per cent.
A series of vessels with hull lengths of between 15 metres to 45 metres are under development. The vessels and superstructures will be built in moulds, using vacuum infusion techniques for optimum quality and strength.
