gCaptain reports the Sea Shepherd organization has taken possession of their new vessel “Ocean Warrior.” The little ship could make a credible patrol boat, and the bridge layout is also interesting.
Background here.
Characteristics:
Reportedly this vessel is based on an existing design. Here you can find a product description of the “parent craft,” the here: Download ›
Based on the parent craft, it appears the dimensions are:
- Length O.A. 53.25 m (175 feet)
- Beam O.A. 10.10 m (33 feet)
- Depth at sides: 4.70 m (15.4 feet)
- Draught: 3.20 m (10.5 feet)
- Speed: 30 knots
- Four engines totalling 8 megawatts or approx 10,728.2 HP
They claim an exceptional range of “3100 nm. at max. speed” but they also list a range of maximum speed from 20-30 knots depending upon choice of engines, so I assume this is really 3,100 miles at 20 knots, but that is still exceptional and probably would translate to over 5,000 miles at most economical speed.
There is a “virtual tour’ of the parent craft here.
Comments:
I would note that all four engines and all the generators are located in a single compartment (good for minimal manning/not so good for damage control) and the small helo deck on the “Ocean Warrior” has a number of obstructions that would be unacceptable to the Coast Guard, but it could make a good UAV operating area.
Crew for the parent craft is only eight, and consequently only birthing for eight is provided on the parent craft, but it also includes airline style seating for 80 in the main deck compartment at the foc’sle. Presumably on the Ocean Warrior this area has been converted for additional birthing.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
Take a look at the U. S. Revenue Cutter Pamlico of 1907 and see the similarity. Back to the future.
It is a beautiful looking ship. It is amazing bow the flat bow design is making a comeback. I am curious how well the design would handle heavy seas. I am not a real big fan of those Eco Pirates, but I can still admire a great looking ship!
The “Axe Bow” is designed to minimize pitching, and I am sure it works, but at some point when the waves get high enough they simply roll over the bow and impact the superstructrure. If it is built to take that and you don’t have a problem with green water on the bow, that’s OK. It does help that they raised the bow a deck.
More conventional flared bows lift the bow when it encounters a wave, but then you get into a cycle of lift and plung. Complex wave patterns can result in the ship plunging as it encounters a high wave.
Damen claims the “Axe Bow” is an innovation, but to me it just looks like a WWI German torpedo boat (small destroyer) bow (or as Bill points out, the Pamlico https://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Pamlico1907.asp).
One of the features that make the “axe bow” somewhat different from old designs is that the lowest point of the stem goes well below the baseline in order to avoid bottom slamming in heavy seas:
Note this vessel has essentially the same horsepower as the Webber Class.
It is the 51-meter version with the twin interceptors that catches my imagination.. It is the sort of vessel we in the UK need in numbers.
Campaign underway. http://gcaptain.com/sea-shepherd-embarks-on-latest-whale-defense-campaign-against-japanese-whalers/