| MST completes Wheelhouse Boat builds for the Norwegian Coastguard |
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Powered by twin diesels linked to Hamilton Jets, these 10.5 m RIBs are capable of speeds of up to 45 knots. The high tech composite hull (with an all weather wheelhouse) is self righting and has a single point lift for launching and retrieving from the Norwegian Coastguards’ new ‘Nornen’ class ‘mothership’ cutters. The MST custom Wheelhouse RIBs are comprehensively equipped, with a huge array of sophisticated electronics that effectively replicate everything on the bridge of the mother vessel. These include two PC computers running full Furuno Telchart cartography, high speed ARPA tracking radar, VHF radio and GSM telecommunications along with internet connections for all pc based facilities. All of this is displayed on two fully integrated 17” TFT displays. MST succeeded in integrating all this into a ‘daughter boat’ that had to be under 10.5m and to fit on the 47m ‘Nornen Class’ mother vessel.  The client also required accommodation to include sea toilet, two berths, hand washing facilities and shock mitigation seats for 6 crew. What’s more, the craft features heated glass windows, full air conditioning, heated decks to deal with extreme cold conditions and hydraulic power for a pot hauler for fisheries inspections – all within the client’s challenging dimensions. MST achieved this thanks to its high tech composite building techniques and extensive use of aluminium honeycomb materials in the interior fit out. This five-boat order from the Norwegian Customs also proves how MST’s unique development and service systems give the client invaluable after sales service and back up. Given the exceptionally arduous conditions in which these craft operate, it was accepted by all parties that small modifications might be called for once boat No.1 had been in active service for a while. MST has also made major strides forward in tube technology. Hilbert says “We initially fitted a third party supplier’s polyurethane sprayed closed cell foam collar system that used higher tech elastomeric products to achieve a lower weight than is usually associated with such collars. However these collars suffered from light damage in the field, which deteriorated into failure of sections due to the skin coming away. It appeared that the boundaries of this technology had been pushed too far. So we revisited the problem in house. The solution came from within our own group of companies with a new closed cell foam collar system developed by our sister company SIT, using PU fabric rather than a sprayed solution. The result is far more rugged and also produces extra weight savings.” |
MST continues to win orders from Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation, Customs, Police and Military clients worldwide and has announced it is to deliver the final boat in a five-boat order placed by the Norwegian Coastguard for 10.5m Wheelhouse RIBs.