Nauti-craft technology is not only making waves (well actually, quite the opposite!) here in Australia, but is also being developed in some exciting projects overseas.
In Wilhelmshaven, a seaside town on the Jade Bight on Germany’s North Sea coast, nauti-craft technology will soon be put to work onboard the WB18, a collaborative project between nauti-craft and German boat-building company, Wallaby Boats. The 18m vessel will fill the role of pilot vessel at the port of Wilhelmshaven, ensuring safer, quicker, and more comfortable transit and transfer operations.
Nauti-craft hydraulic systems
Wallaby Boats applied for the tender for the port of Wilhelmshaven, who were seeking innovative boat solutions to ensure their pilots can navigate boats to and from the dock safely in harsh conditions. Knowing the difference that nauti-craft’s marine suspension technology can make, their proposal won the tender; and the project is set for completion later this year.
Wallaby Boats are in fact producing two boats featuring nauti-craft technology
Wallaby Boats are in fact producing two boats featuring nauti-craft technology, the first being this pilot vessel for the port of Wilhelmshaven and another for the offshore windfarm industry. Despite dealing with the international delays most companies have faced over the past year as a result of COVID-19, the construction of this pilot boat is well underway at the Hitzler Werft shipyard in Lauenburg. The team has also engaged a strategic partnership with Hydac for the component supply and integration of the nauti-craft hydraulic systems featured on the vessels.
Risk-free innovative design
The windfarm service vessel (WFSV) is set for completion into 2023, and will be predominantly identical to the pilot vessel, with further refinements and improvements made to accommodate the requirements of a WFSV.
Both the pilot and windfarm vessels will be class-approved by Lloyd’s Register (LR), ensuring that rigorous standards of seaworthiness and safety are met. The Wallaby & nauti-craft team have submitted plans in accordance with LR rules and continue to collaborate to achieve a risk-free innovative design.
