Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled a new workboat for the aquaculture industry. The Damen Utility Vessel (UV) 2613 draws upon the heritage of proven vessels from the shipyard’s portfolio, such as the Multi Cat and Shoalbuster, to deliver extreme versatility to the fish-farming sector. The vessel’s scope of work covers everything from harvesting to net cleaning and diving support to de-licing, the company said in a statement.

Damen said it has developed the UV 2613 based on feedback from the market. A forward-facing vessel, with sustainable characteristics, it is, for example, prepared for IMO Tier III. The vessel comes ready for the installation of a Damen NOX Reduction System – selective catalytic conversion technology that can be easily installed during construction or as a retrofit, making the vessel Tier III compliant, it said.

The company further said that it is an extremely user-friendly vessel, with lots of plug and play options available so that it can switch quickly from one duty to another. The UV 2613 can be installed with DP1, a multiple mooring system and a towing winch for example. It can even be fitted with a ramp in order to perform ferry duties if required, it added.

An extensive cargo hold of 85 sq m facilitates harvesting as well as dry cargo transportation and storage of diving equipment. The vessel’s deck is over 110 sq m and can be fitted with multiple cranes with capacity up to 220 t/m. The vessel’s azimuth thrusters, together with a bow thruster, ensure optimal manoeuvrability, it said. Damen has paid close attention to safety in the design. The vessel features a high bow height and freeboard of 1 m minimum to avoid deck immersion and safe sailing, even in heavy seas.

Damen Sales Manager Mike Besijn said: “We are very confident in the relevance of the UV 2613 for the growing aquaculture industry. Based on feedback we received we have designed a versatile vessel, able to tackle a very wide range of duties, with a robust application of features ensuring the safety and sustainability of operations. We have already carried out the feasibility studies and completed the detailed engineering of the design – we’re ready to build this.”