Seawork 2013

[Tim M]

Here's a few of the highlights:

1: 16.5m Redbay. We had an extensive look around this, quite some RIB. Complete with four bunks up at the front, a galley, loo/shower room, a large cabin/wheelhouse, great sea keeping abilities and only drinking 52l an hour per engine, very impressive! The engine room is massive, and is normally accessed from inside the craft, or from this large hatch for major maintenance - another major plus factor for the commercial operators as apparently they can whip an engine out in around 90 mins meaning minimal down time.
2: Engine bag (engines look tiny - 500hp)
3: Ben Ainslie's Scorpion. A really sexy boat.
4: Seats
5: MSC military model
6: Delta with foam tubes

[Tim M]

This is the 12m Redbay operated by "Coastal connections" in Scotland. They run a number of Redbays, this is their first "proper" cabin version and also their largest. I was with two other commercial skippers - this was by far our favourite boat at the show for the task it was designed for (high speed inter-island transfers). She's fitted with 12 airline style seats inside, 4 of which are seated around a table which we liked very much. There's a loo and a small galley with 12v microwave and sink at the back, and (not pictured) access to the front through a door to the left of the helm position - a great idea especially if you're on your own on board when it comes to coming alongside etc. A really well thought out boat.

[Tim M]

Engine related things:
1: The new steering system from Teleflex. This really is an amazing bit of kit. Designed for twin engine installations, it's a totally electric system a bit like that fitted to the Verado. In fact, it is also the same as the etec I command system - that is just a re-badged version of this. It's very impressive. All of your controls (steering and throttle) run through this hydro-electric system. This gives you power assisted steering, and "fly by wire" throttles. The features of this alone are impressive - the computer knows if you have accidentally knocked the controls and will ignore them if for example you start waving the wheel wildly from side to side.
What is really clever is the joy stick. This can be used to "park" the boat or manoeuvre in tight situations. This takes place of the wheel and throttles - the stick, combined with the computer control everything. So, if you want to make the boat go sideways into a tight parking spot, you simply move it gently to the side. The REALLY clever bit then happens - the engines rev up, and steering opposite directions, controlled by two independent steering rams. This, combined with one running ahead, the other in astern (and some very clever software) allows you to make your boat do just about anything. Very clever indeed. What's more, this can be installed on ANY outboard (other than those already fitted with a similar system at the factory).
2: Some of the kit installed to make all this magic happen!
3: The special helm pump, electronic throttles etc.
4: Barrus's 55hp turbo diesel outboard. This really is a great leap forward with regards diesel outboards - traditionally these have been incredibly heavy for little horsepower. This 55hp model weighs in at only 75kg! A serious contender to a petrol alternative.
5: The new immersion proof Mariner 30 efi. Moments before this engine was running, and was turned upside down and submersed in water. On being pulled out, all that has to be done is pull the rope and it starts (took four pulls). The immersion proofing apparently adds only £1500 or so to the price of the engine.
6: Yamaha outboard fitted with a water jet.

[Tim M]

And finally....
1: Vessel fitted with a "Seatruk" tender (RIB thing with wheels). We struggled to see the point of this - seems like a seriously complicated system of winches and tracks which could easily be replaced with a single crane.
2: Wave piercing pilot boat built by Goodchild Marine. The whole substructure is mounted on rubber mounts to reduce shock (see pic 5).
3: Now that's a proper helm position! (complete with 2 cup holders)
4: Interesting!

[donegaldan]

Cracking set of photos Tim,
Kinda sorry I didn't get over, but will try again next year me thinks.
Sucks when the day job won't allow for time off!

[Siochair]

Thanks for the digest Tim, it certainly helped make up for me not being able to attend.


Any idea how loud the diesel outboard was? That was a 'feature' of previous attempts, so loud they made your ears bleed after a while.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Tim M

1: Vessel fitted with a "Seatruk" tender (RIB thing with wheels). We struggled to see the point of this - seems like a seriously complicated system of winches and tracks which could easily be replaced with a single crane.

Crane's have an inherent level of risk associated with them. Not sure if that addresses the risk - but the military boats with 'stern launching ramps' are apparently better for launch and recovery at speed (main boat keeps moving) in rough seas.

[C2 RIBS]

Did anyone at Seaworks today get to the Dag Pike conference Health and Safety on RIBs. I had to leave having met him and purchased his book

[landlord]

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

Did anyone at Seaworks today get to the Dag Pike conference Health and Safety on RIBs. I had to leave having met him and purchased his book

Yep, drove there in the RIB, great way to get to the conference

Quite an interesting talk Safety on RIBs and fast vessels and a bit worrying for commercial operators. Best to fill your RIBs with cotton wool and only go out if its flat calm

[C2 RIBS]

Originally Posted by landlord

Yep, drove there in the RIB, great way to get to the conference

Quite an interesting talk Safety on RIBs and fast vessels and a bit worrying for commercial operators. Best to fill your RIBs with cotton wool and only go out if its flat calm

One of speakers was from FRC International and I have done a course with them so know what that level is and vibration at work can be controlled.

What was the worst issue for us from your view?

[whisper]

Really great info and pics here Tim, thanks for posting

[willk]

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

vibration at work can be controlled.

I presume when Tim M said "shock" in his post above, he meant "vibration"?

I saw a similar arrangement on Banríon Uladh on a walkaround last year. I suppose if you're "on station" in a constantly thrumming wheelhouse, it could become an issue eventually. Bit weird to see a gap under the deck!

[landlord]

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

One of speakers was from FRC International and I have done a course with them so know what that level is and vibration at work can be controlled.

What was the worst issue for us from your view?

Litigation

Risk assessments should be completed and probably signed off by a competent person, before each trip out, which in your case would probably be a PITA. Navy now follow the helicopter rules and a commander carries out a risk assessment before each waterborne operation, then signs to give the OK to proceed. I appreciate this is MOD but you can see the logic behind it and how it could find its way into commercial work such as charter operations.

Briefing the RIB driver prior to them leaving the dock, however as was stressed in the conference once a RIB leaves the dock its down to to the coxswain to follow the brief.

There was also talk about longterm effects on the body from G loading and trials are ongoing with shock and accelerometers to record various loadings on a vessel and its occupants. Data will be available soon FOC from all of the boats in the Cowes to Monte Carlo Race (or what ever it was called). All of the boats and crew were fitted with the accelerometers in an attempt to put together an understandable and workable algorithmic scale which could be applies to shock mitigation.

Don't envy you with fast boat charters. The fitting of shock mitigation seats might certainly help but the cost would be horrendous.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by willk

I presume when Tim M said "shock" in his post above, he meant "vibration"?

Shock and vibration are actually the same thing (in terms of "science" and legislation) - it is only the frequency and magnitude that make the difference between what you would call "shock" (a big sudden deceleration) and what you think of as vibration (small scale repetitive movements).

[willk]

Originally Posted by Poly

Shock and vibration are actually the same thing (in terms of "science" and legislation) - it is only the frequency and magnitude that make the difference between what you would call "shock" (a big sudden deceleration) and what you think of as vibration (small scale repetitive movements).

I'm vibrated to learn that Poly

[jambo]

Originally Posted by willk

I'm vibrated to learn that Poly

See what happens when you buy a round......people are 'shocked' and it 'vibrates' around

[Will75]

Originally Posted by willk

I'm vibrated to learn that Poly

The Navy Pac 24s have an on board tri-axial accelerometer system that records all "shocks and impacts" for nearly four hundred days and also has a display which acts as a driving aid.....called gSenseII

[willk]

Just in from Ricochet - 1650 Pilot Boat and Redbay 7.4m Hyundai powered Patrol RIB

[Ian M]

Slightly off topic (sorry), but has anyone any numbers for maximum tolerable shock and vibration levels for the human body for say a two hour interval, or alternatively over an eight hour working day?

[gtb]

Originally Posted by Ian M

Slightly off topic (sorry), but has anyone any numbers for maximum tolerable shock and vibration levels for the human body for say a two hour interval, or alternatively over an eight hour working day?

"Maximum tolerable" before what?

The HSE have a microsite dedicated to vibration, and a worksheet that shows red/amber/green levels for whole body vibration. Of course, specific numbers may be misleading in the overall picture of care.