The Damen Shipyards Group has received an order for a state-of-the-art, 74 m Fishery Research Vessel from the Angolan Ministry of Fisheries. This special vessel, which has Silent-A/F/R Class notation and features a basic design from Skipsteknisk.

The Angolan Ministry of Fisheries has been a customer for many years and previously Damen delivered two 62 m Fishery Inspection Surveillance Vessels 6210 and a smaller Fishery Research Vessel (FRV 2808). This vessel represents the cutting edge of its type and Damen is confident that it will help develop and preserve the important Angolan fishing economy.

Damen FRV 7417 - Image courtesy: Damen Group

Hein van Ameijden, Managing Director of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, commented that the yard’s vast naval building expertise can also be applied to this innovative research ship. Any successful research vessel has to operate extremely quietly and Damen has the expert knowledge needed to achieve the Silent notation for the FRV, he says.

Silent-A/F/R Class notation
Special attention will be paid to the design, construction and outfitting of the vessel to minimise underwater noise, as well as onboard internal acoustic noise and vibrations. Machinery components, including pumps and ventilation plants, will be resiliently mounted where necessary to reduce noise and vibrations. The stiffness of foundations and supports for all the noise critical components and pipe systems will also be thoroughly checked to ensure that they comply with the Silent notation.

Damen FRV 7417 - Image courtesy: Damen Group

The FRV 7417 is suitable for various functions such as hydrographic operations, acoustics research, pelagic and demersal trawling, plankton, water, environmental and geographical sampling, oil recovery and emergency towage operations. The new FRV has a service speed of 13 knots.

Friso Visser, Damen Regional Director Africa comments: “Angola was looking for a vessel which would help in researching its rich fishing grounds and fish stock. We are delighted to welcome them back to Damen.”

Damen has been active in Angola for several decades and has previously built two ferries, several tugboats, dredgers and offshore-related vessels for the country.

Source: Damen