The Finnish shipyard Uudenkaupungin Työvene has transferred the SWATH vessel “Castor” to Neustadt in Holstein. The new vessel is set to be used for transporting staff in Lübeck Bay in future.
The ship was built for the German Navy on behalf of the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Utilisation of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw). The “Castor” is designed to carry up to 60 people. In future, it will transport naval personnel from the Naval Damage Control Training Centre (EAZS M) in Neustadt in Holstein to naval units in Lübeck Bay.
The new vessel is a SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) ship. The hull design consists of two floats positioned below the water’s surface, which are connected to the hull above by narrow struts. The small waterline area reduces the vessel’s motion in rough seas compared with conventional hull shapes. This is intended to ensure greater comfort and safety, particularly when transferring personnel at sea.
A special transfer system has also been developed for the “Castor”, enabling personnel to be transferred between vessels at sea. According to the shipyard, the system was designed in collaboration with engineering partners and manufactured with the involvement of Finnish suppliers. The system has already been tested and approved.
Third SWATH vessel in a series of five
With the delivery of the “Castor”, Uudenkaupungin Työvene has completed the third vessel in a series of five SWATH units. The vessels are being built for various clients and tailored to their respective operational requirements.
“The delivery of the “Castor” is a significant achievement for our team and further evidence of our expertise in the design and construction of SWATH vessels,” explained Juha Granqvist, Managing Director of Uudenkaupungin Työvene. The series also highlights the versatility of the vessel concept.
The Finnish shipyard, based in Uusikaupunki, specialises in the development and construction of specialised workboats and utility vessels for various maritime applications.
