The German navigation system supplier Raytheon Anschütz was recently awarded a contract for the delivery of an integrated bridge and navigation system for a Fisheries Research Vessel, newbuilding 1378 at STX Finland. The 62 meter long vessel is being built at STX Finland Rauma shipyard and will be owned by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of the Republic of Namibia.

STX Finland has again selected Raytheon Anschütz to deliver the integrated bridge and navigation system, as well as the Dynamic Positioning System (DP) and a radio station according to GMDSS A3 for this advanced Fisheries Research Vessel. The new vessel will be equipped with two Radar and two ECDIS bridge workstations as well as with a Conning workstation for the navigation bridge, all connected through a standardized Ethernet network. The ECDIS forms together with the new autopilot NP 5100 an automatic track keeping system for high steering accuracy. For heading control, a redundant Standard 22 gyro compass system was delivered that interfaces with the Dynamic Positioning (DP) System on the aft bridge. A full package of navigation sensors, the bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) and wide-ranging communication equipment complete the scope of supply. Experienced local support for the shipyard, installation and setting to work will be provided by Raytheon Anschütz long-term Finnish partner AT Marine.

The modern and innovative Fisheries Research Vessel, which will be delivered in Spring 2012, is laid out for operation in any African sea and weather condition during all seasons. According to STX Finland, the vessel has been specifically designed for the purposes of assisting Namibian fisheries research work. Apart from setting very high overall technical standards, special attention has been paid to low maintenance costs. Therefore, certified Raytheon Anschütz service station Radio Holland South Africa with their Namibian service partner Radio Electronics were chosen to take full responsibility for local service support at Walvis Bay, the vessel’s future home port.

Only a few weeks ago, a similar Integrated Bridge and Navigation System for a Polar Research Vessel, built for the South African Department of Environmental Affairs, has successfully passed the factory acceptance test at Raytheon Anschütz and was delivered to STX Rauma for installation.

Source: Raytheon Anschütz, May 24, 2011.