Imtech Marine & Offshore Ltd. completes LSD(A) contract
25 January 2008 12:25
Billingham - RFA Lyme Bay, the last of four Bay Class LSD(A) Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) vessels to be built for the UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary, left BAE Govan Shipyard on the Clyde in June.
Lyme Bay displaces 16,000 Tonnes and at 176m in length is designed to move troops with their ammunition, vehicles and stores worldwide and will also provide logistical support to the Royal Navy's amphibious assault ships.
Lyme Bay joins her sister ships Largs Bay, Mounts Bay and Cardigan Bay to replace the Sir class LSL Landing Ship Logistic vessels which entered service 40 years ago, only one of which Sir Bedivere, remains in service today.
The LSL vessels have provided crucial support to the Royal Navy from the Falklands conflict through to the two Gulf Wars. The tragic loss of RFA Sir Galahad at Fitzroy Cove 20 years ago, illustrates the very real danger that these ships, all manned by personnel of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, are exposed to.
The LSDs are more than twice the size of the older LSLs, however through the use of extensive computer control, an increase in crew of only 30% has resulted.
Imtech was awarded the electrical system integration contract in 2000 which included responsibility for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of all key electrical systems comprising:
- Integrated Bridge & Navigation Systems
- Integrated Platform Management Systems
- Dynamic Positioning
- Power Generation & Distribution
- Propulsion Control Systems
- Electrical Propulsion Drives
- Electrical Installation
- Switchboards & Distribution panels
The Bay Class All Electric Ship design draws heavily on the highly successful Royal Dutch Navy Landing Platform Dock (LPD) class vessels where Imtech were again involved as the electrical system integrator. The vessels are fitted with an Imtech designed Integrated Bridge System, offering a state of the art digital integrated ship management concept for Navigation and Communication, as well as an IPMS (Integrated Platform Management System). The IPMS comprises automation, power management and propulsion control systems providing combined automatic control of the vessel's energy plant and propulsion systems and ensuring the most economical regulation of ships power generation in response to the varying power demanded due to the ships operating conditions.
IM&O Ltd based in Billingham has worked closely over the past 4 years with the shipbuilders Swan Hunter (Tyneside) in Newcastle upon Tyne and BAE Naval Systems in Govan, employing over 200 people to successfully complete the full installation of electrical systems on all four vessels across both locations.
The build of Lyme Bay was far from straight forward due to the need to transfer the part finished vessel from Newcastle to Govan following the UK Ministry of Defence's decision to close the contract with Swan Hunter (Tyneside). Thanks to the skill of all involved at IM&O Ltd, a major logistical exercise to move men and materials over 150 miles, part way through the installation, was completed smoothly enabling BAE to complete the vessel to MoD's full satisfaction.
Currently IM&O Ltd is involved in a 1million Euros contract for the fast track installation of electrical enhancements identified during trials and initial operation, on all four vessels during tight scheduled docking periods whilst in UK.
Through this contract, IM&O Ltd has formed an excellent working relationship with BAE Naval Systems and continues to provide support through their newly formed mobile UK customer support team. Several newbuild projects for both UK Royal Navy and foreign navies are close to confirmation and IM&O Ltd are working hard to win future electrical system contracts with BAE Naval Systems.
For more information on this company:
Imtech Marine & Offshore - Naval System Integrator
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