Flanders builds a new research vessel ‘Simon Stevin’
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| Look at the artist impression of the new research vessel 'Simon Stevin' in 3D (wmv-file - 7,5 Mb) |
Why the 'Zeeleeuw' needs replacing?
The 'Zeeleeuw' dates from 1977 and is not really a research vessel but a converted tug. It is no longer possible to imagine the Flemish marine scientific landscape without the 'Zeeleeuw', but the ship is suboptimal for conducting research at sea.
Why choosing for a coastal vessel?
In 2005 the VLIZ made an enquiry - by order of the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation - concerning the present and possible future needs of marine scientists in Flanders on ship time, ship characteristics, working area, frequency of need, sampling equipment, measuring instruments, etc. More than 500 scientists participated.
The enquiry confirmed the big need for a modern and well equiped reserach vessel, with a small draught and a fluent access to the shallow coastal waters of the southern bight of the North Sea and adjacent estuaries. Subsequently the VLIZ elaborated a feasability study, including the calculation of the expected total cost. Several scenarios were proposed for the exploitation and the financing.
Who will pay?
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On 10 December 2007 the plans of the Flemish government to finance the new research vessel were disclosed. The vessel will have to replace the current research vessel 'Zeeleeuw' in the short run. The name of the new ship was already declared as 'Simon Stevin'. [read more in the news item of 18.12.07]
The negotiations with regard to the funding of this new coastal vessel have in the mean time been completed successfully. In close cooperation with DAB Fleet Division (Flemish Agency for Maritime and Coastal Services) the specifications of the Simon Stevin were finalised.
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Thanks to the results of the earlier enquiry and a more recent survey by the Scientific Committee of VLIZ, we are certain that the specificiations are fully supported by the Flemish marine scientific community and that the Simon Stevin will be an optimal instrument to meet as many research needs as possible.
In 2008 an amount of 7 millions Euros (of an estimated total price of 11,5 million Euros) has already been reserved for the construction of the Simon Stevin from the FFEU funds (Financing Fund for Dept Reduction and One-Off Investment Expenses) available for the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation (EWI). On 5 August 2010 the Flemish government gave its final approval. The order to build is given to the Dutch shipbuilder "Damen Shipyards Gorinchem". Given the data of the shipyard the new vessel could be delivered half 2012.
Operation of the Simon Stevin and general technical specifications
The new research vessel will be mainly used for academic coastal oceanographic research in the southern bight of the North Sea and the eastern part of the English Channel. It will also be employed as a training platform for students following marine science and maritime training programmes, and as a test platform for new marine or maritime technologies. In addition, educational trips for primary and secondary schools will be organised. The ship will sail under the Belgian flag and will be registered in Ostend, Belgium.
The research vessel will mainly perform day trips, but regularly continuous cruises will be possible. The ship will be able to be autonomous at sea for minimally 5 days and act within a radius of 200nm (or approx. 370km).
The design of the ship will meet the needs of various marine research disciplines: physical oceanography, fisheries research, marine biology, microbiology, chemistry, technology, archaeology and geosciences. The ship will be equipped with all standard sampling equipment and with hi-tech sonar techniques allowing flow measurements (acoustic flow monitor) and soil characterisation (multibeam). These sensors will be assembled on a drop keel, a system that can be lowered below the hull, i.e. well below the area that might be affected by air bubbles flowing under the hull. Highly accurate positioning is ensured by means of a dynamic positioning and navigation system that guarantees maximum manoeuvrability up to a sailing speed of 3Kn. A diesel electric drive offers the possibility to sail as a ‘silent ship’. This ensures that all acoustic measuring instruments can be used in an optimal manner. [Read more in the technical specifications sheet]
The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) will take care of the scientific programme and the management of the research equipment. Fleet Division will ensure the good operation of the new coastal vessel.
Why the name 'Simon Stevin'?
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Born and raised in Bruges, Simon Stevin moved to the Northern Netherlands when he was about 30 years old. He became a friend and adviser of Maurits of Nassau, Prince of Orange, and played a fairly important role in the economic boom of the Northern Netherlands. During his entire career he remained true to his origin by always signing his works as ‘Simon Stevin of Bruges'.
Stevin was a brilliant mathematician with a special talent for applying his theoretical knowledge to all kinds of problems in the fields of architecture, hydraulics, surveying, fortress construction etc. He was also a pioneer in expressing all his finds in everyday language and in inventing new words for all kinds of technical concepts. He was a passionate advocate of the introduction of a decimal system in ‘De Thiende’ (In English: The Tenth) for coins, linear measurements, surface measurements and measurements of capacity. This intellectual Jack-of-all-trades has numerous maritime and hydraulic achievements. He published on topics as sluices, dyke constructions, dredging techniques, pump systems and he was the inventor of the land yacht. [Further information on the person of ‘Simon Stevin’.]
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Contact :
dr. André Cattrijse
VLIZ, Wandelaarkaai 7, 8400 Oostende
email Andre.Cattrijsse@vliz.be
tel. + 32 (0)59 34 21 39
mobile + 32 (0)474 83 51 02
ir. Piet Leeuwerck
Vloot DAB, Winston Churchillkaai 2, 8400 Oostende
