Germany’s FMSW adds diving bell vessel to fleet

Germany’s Department of Mechanical Engineering Southwest (Fachstelle Maschinenwesen Sudwest; FMSW) has taken delivery of a new diving bell vessel.

Built by Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld in the Netherlands, Archimedes will be operated by the FMSW’s Koblenz branch office on inspection, maintenance, and salvage duties on riverbeds, particularly those of the Rhine and the Moselle.

The 70- by 11.7-metre vessel is equipped with a four- by six-metre diving bell in which personnel can work at depths of up to 10 metres. A ballast system helps reduce height to allow the vessel to pass underneath low bridges.

Archimedes is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system.