 HSS Stena Explorer at Dún Laoghaire
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | HSS 1500 |
| Builders | Finnyards, Finland |
| Operators | list error: <br /> list (help) Stena Line Albamar Shipping Company |
| Built | June 1994 - April 1997 |
| In service | April 1996 - present |
| Completed | 3 |
| Active | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | High-speed catamaran |
| Tonnage | 19,638 GT |
| Length | 126.6 m (415 ft 4 in) |
| Beam | 40.0 m (131 ft 3 in) |
| Draught | 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in) |
| Installed power | list error: <br /> list (help) COGAG Turbines: 2x GE LM2500 2x GE LM1600 |
| Propulsion | 4x Kamewa Type S Waterjets |
| Capacity | list error: <br /> list (help) 1,500 passengers 375 cars 800 lane metres |
HSS 1500 is the name of a class of high-speed craft originally ordered and operated by Stena Line on European international ferry routes. The vessels are the largest high-speed craft in the world.[citation needed]
Three vessels were ultimately completed in 1996 and 1997. The vessels were built to operate around the British Isles.
Design and construction
editStena Explorer was constructed by Finnyards in Rauma, Finland.[1][2] The first of the class, HSS Stena Explorer, entered service in 1996.[3]
The HSS 1500 is a catamaran, and was designed with the aim of providing a comfortable and fast service.[4]
Power is provided by four GE Aviation gas turbines in a twin COGAG configuration.[5] The vessels employ four Kamewa waterjets for propulsion.[3]
The HSS class of ferries were designed to allow quick turnarounds at port. A specially designed linkspan provides ropeless mooring and allows quick loading, unloading and servicing. Vehicles are loaded via two of the four stern doors and park in a "U" configuration. When disembarking, vehicles drive straight off via the other two doors.[3]
Ships
editReferences
edit- ^ "Stena Explorer". DNV Echange. Det Norske Veritas. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
- ^ "Stena Explorer" (in Swedish). Fakta Om Fartyg. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
- ^ a b c "Stena Explorer". Sealink-Holyhead. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
- ^ "The story behind the building of the first Stena HSS". Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
- ^ "GE Marine Engines' LM Gas Turbines Exceed 600,000 Hours Operating Aboard 16 Fast Ferries" (Press release). GE Aviation. 2002-09-09. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
Each semi-swath fast ferry has two LM1600 and two LM2500 gas turbines in a COmbined Gas and Gas (COGAG) turbine configuration.