A photo report from Project F.A.S.T.

Damen Naval’s F.A.S.T. (Fieldlab Autonomous Sailing Technology) project has proceeded well over the summer months. The renovation of the 1990-built Damen Stan Patrol 900 into an electrically powered and autonomous vessel has taken numerous steps forward. This following photo essay follows the team’s progress.

New hatch

The Project F.A.S.T. vessel shows off her new engine hatch. “The old engine hatch had two big air intakes that were required for the old diesel engines,” explains F.A.S.T. Project Leader Jochem Nonhebel. “Since we are converting to full electric and zero emissions, we don’t need those intakes anymore. To install the new equipment, we needed to create new spacings, which required an adjustment. The upside is that this gave us the opportunity to install some comfortable back seats in the sun.”

Engine room equipment

The renewed engine room contains two 100kW electric motors and two high power inverters, which convert the DC power coming from the batteries to the AC power required by the motors. “We needed to install new mechanical foundations to keep the engines and all other technical equipment in position. But as the vessel has a lot of round corners it was a challenge to create enough space to mount all equipment,” says Pieter de Korte, Senior Electrical Engineer on the F.A.S.T. project.

Battery racks

The F.A.S.T. team has installed the two 70 kilowatt hour battery racks and cabinets. Pieter: “Because the weight of each rack is more than 750kg, we first performed the necessary calculations to be sure the foundations were strong enough to hold the equipment while sailing rough seas.”

New console plate

The vessel’s wheelhouse is also seeing a lot of activity. “We have put a new console in place; and soon a new steering wheel, other control panels and new electrical wiring will be added,” says Pieter.

A lot of works have been completed on the nine-metre-long vessel at the Damen yard in Vlissingen-Oost. “When all main components are positioned, the team will start with making all connections required for the cooling system. After all piping is fitted, the electrical wiring will be pulled and connected to corresponding equipment,” says Pieter.