VESSEL REVIEW | Ros Aine – Versatile landing craft for Dublin charter boat company

Dublin-based Irish Commercial Charter Boats (ICCB) has taken delivery of a new landing craft built to fulfil a range of roles including those in support of the offshore and aquaculture sectors.

Named Ros Aine, the all-aluminium vessel was built by local shipyard Arklow Marine Services to a design by UK naval architecture firm Chartwell Marine. The vessel was developed to meet ICCB’s expanding operational requirements, including surveying, assisting with cable landing, and transporting supplies and personnel to near-shore offshore installations, partly in anticipation of large-scale offshore energy projects in Ireland.

The newbuild measures 12 metres long and is powered by a pair of OXE 149kW diesel outboard engines that will enable effective manoeuvring under high loads and at low speeds, as well as extended range and enhanced ability to operate in remote locations compared to petrol-powered engines.

The outboards can also run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as an alternative fuel, resulting in CO2 emissions reductions of as much as 94.2 per cent. A spare engine can be carried on board, allowing for emergency replacement offshore if required.

Although diesel engines promise lower emissions than petrol engines for the vessel’s operational profile, the configuration offers the flexibility to easily install electric outboards and batteries if needed.

To ensure maximum versatility in the shallow waters around the East Irish coast, the vessel has a shallow draught and can operate in depths of 0.8 metres.

The vessel can carry up to 4.9 tonnes of assorted loads. A Palfinger Marine knuckle boom crane serves as an alternative means of loading and unloading cargo besides the bow ramp. The electronics suite includes a Simrad radar.

ICCB said that as an additional benefit, the vessel can also be recycled at end of life.

Ros Aine has already completed its first charter contract for an unnamed ICCB client.

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