Volvo Penta helps Coast Guard save fuel

With the help of Volvo Penta’s innovative propulsion system the ships are to reduce fuel consumption by approximately 30% compared to traditional installations.

After successful test runs at the Baltic Sea with the Baltic Workboat in Estonia and subsequent naming ceremony at the end of May 2012 bears the ship KBV312 now the flag of Sweden. It is the first ship in a series of five versatile coastguard vessels which will be used primarily for maritime surveillance, border control, and fisheries control, protection of the environment, rescue and civil protection, monitoring and diving operations.

Efficient Propulsion system and great fuel savings
To give the vessel the best overall performance the highly efficient Volvo Penta IPS 1050 complete propulsion system was selected. The system consists of triple Volvo Penta IPS 1050 based on 3 x D13-800 Rating 4 engines at 588 kW each, giving at total propulsion power of 1764 kw and 3 x IPS 3 fully integrated pod units ( gearbox, exhaust system, rudder and steering machinery). 

The very low fuel consumption over the whole speed range is creating great cost savings for the Swedish Coast Guard and with reduced CO2 and NOx emission; the environmental impact will be reduced. The engines are already meeting the EPA tier 3 emission levels in force 2014. The system is type approved by DNV.

During test trials the vessel reached a speed of 32 knots fully loaded and the time to accelerate from idle to 20 knots was only 7.5 seconds.

High manoeuvrability and low noise
The steerable IPS pod units with forward facing contra rotating propellers give very good grip in the water without slip and create an active rudder control with all thrust pointing in the desired direction. The good grip and the unbeatable low end torque are used to create good acceleration in all sea conditions and allow the vessel to steer sharply without cavitation and loss of speed.

The combination of twin turbo engine and Volvo Penta Duoprop technology is giving the vessel a very good bollard pull, above 10 tons, which is very useful for a vessel in search and rescue operations.

New Joystick driving, autopilot interface and integrated bridge control
The KBV312 is equipped with the latest in Volvo Penta’s electronic vessel control EVC-E. In addition to the successful Joystick docking and dynamic positioning features, the KBV312 is also equipped with Joystick driving and steering at cruising. No steering wheel is used and the joystick is comfortable incorporated in the armrest of the helmsman’s chair. In addition, the vessel is equipped with three joystick docking positions as well as a full engine room control station.

The EVC-E system is connected to an integrated bridge control (Integrated Alarm Monitoring and Control System - IAMCS) through a newly developed interface from Volvo Penta. All alarm and monitoring, alarm acknowledgement and rudder indication is handled on the IAMCS display.
A new Autopilot interface connects the EVC steering control to the vessels autopilot, with easy and safe connection and disconnection.