Aker Arctic's full scale ice trials in 2016
During the winter of 2016, Aker Arctic carried out two full scale ice trials projects: astern ridge penetration tests for the Finnish Navy multipurpose vessel Louhi and level ice performance trials for the Finnish Border Guard offshore patrol vessel Turva, the company says in a press release.
FNS Louhi was built by Uki Workboat Ltd. in 2011. She is a multipurpose oil and chemical spill response vessel owned by the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), but manned and operated by the Finnish Navy. The 3,450-ton vessel is 71.4 m long and has a beam of 14.5 m. She has a diesel-electric power plant and propulsion system with four Wärtsilä 9L20 diesel engines producing electricity for two 2.7 MW Rolls-Royce Z-drive thrusters. Louhi is designed to operate in all Baltic Sea ice conditions and fitted with extensive mechanical oil spill response outfit, including equipment designed specifically for collecting spilled oil in ice conditions.
OPV Turva, delivered in 2014 from STX Rauma shipyard, is one of the world's first LNG-powered offshore patrol vessels. At 95.9 m, she is the largest vessel in the Finnish Border Guard fleet. The propulsion system consists of one controllable pitch propeller mechanically driven by a medium-speed Wärtsilä 12V34DF dual fuel engine, two Wärtsilä 6L34DF dual fuel generating sets, and two Rolls-Royce Azipull Z-drive thrusters driven by electric motors. A highly capable multipurpose vessel, Turva is fitted with mechanical oil recovery systems, extensive command and control outfit including a Cassidian TRS-3D radar, and a helideck capable of receiving and refueling Super Puma helicopters both on deck and while hovering. Despite having a bulbous bow, Turva can also operate in ice-covered waters.
