Hazardous-atmosphere mission
for MTU-equipped North Sea emergency salvage vessel

June 11, 2015 + + + On Wednesday May 27, the North Sea emergency salvage vessel “Nordic” – powered by MTU Series 8000 – the “Neuwerk” – with its MTU Series 595 engines – and the “Mellum” – with its MTU series 396 engines - approached the stricken fertilizer freighter “Purple Beach” to within 100 meters operating in gas-protected mode. All three ships are equipped with hazardous-atmosphere engines. The cargo ship got into distress 30 kilometers off Helgoland on Monday evening and has since been emitting toxic smoke and gases. Experts have eliminated the risk of explosion and water is now being pumped into the vessel to reduce smoke. Only then will it be possible to tow it away to a safe haven.

The “Nordic” has been in service since 2011. Running at almost 20 knots (a swift 37 kilometers per hour) she can reach any point in the German Bight from her base twelve nautical miles off Norderney within two hours. With a bollard pull of 200 tons, the ship is one of the three most powerful emergency salvage vessels in the world. Powered by twin Series 8000 MTU engines capable of unleashing 17,200 kW, the Nordic is equipped with a hazardous-atmosphere system making it independent of the outside air. This allows her to operate in a hazardous atmosphere for at least eight hours should toxic or explosive gases emanate from a stricken vessel. Both twin propulsion engines – and the 12-cylinder Series 4000 engines dedicated to on-board power supply – are gas-protected.

Find more information about the technology: http://www.mtu-report.com/Marine/150-years-DGzRS/High-tech-propulsion-systems-for-maritime-search-and-rescue-and-coastal-protection

Source: Anika Emmerich, Kay-Uwe Richter
MTU eReport June 2015

Picture MTU - Havariekommando / MTU eReport