General
Composite materials (GRP) will be used for the construction of the hull, decks, and superstructure. The vessel will be built with vinyl-ester resin (for the first three layers of the hull lamination) and polyester isophaltic resin for hull plating, structures, and GRP accessories. The Gel coat is of Neopentilic type, and reinforcement fibers are, depending on their use, mat, roving, multi-axial, and unidirectional glass as indicated in the structural drawings approved by RINA.
The PVC of the sandwiched core will be of closed cell type, density between 50 and 90 Kg/m3.
The structure shape and the scantling will follow the most recent knowledge on design and construction for this type of GRP Vessel, in order to ensure maximum structural continuity and the lowest possible levels of vibrations and noise.
The hull bottom will be built in single skin of different thicknesses, the sides in sandwich with PVC core, in compliance with the CE regulations, the structure is of longitudinal type, with girders and transversal bulkheads as main structural elements. Three watertight bulkheads will divide the vessel into four watertight compartments as follows:
• Engine room
• Accommodation area
• Chain Locker
All openings for pipes and cables going through said bulkheads will be made watertight. All bilges will be varnished; in the engine room and the aft technical area, anti-flammable paint will be used. Exhaust gas pipes and ventilation ducts are in GRP and are integrated into the structure; flame resistant gel and self-extinguishing resins are used wherever necessary. Special reinforcements will be placed in the way of propulsion and maneuvering machinery’s foundations, generator sets, shaft lines, brackets, rudders, and thruster propellers. The hull will be treated with anti-fouling paint. The material will be supplied by a recognized manufacturer.
Main Deck
• The main deck plating is a sandwich of different thicknesses as per the CE Rule. The structure is longitudinal type, with transversal bulkheads as the main structural elements.
• A watertight hatch will be mounted in the way of the engine room to allow the mounting and disassembly of the Main Engine and other machinery.
• Special reinforcements will be placed near all maneuvering devices such as windlasses, capstans, hatch hinges, cranes, and gangways.
• All openings for pipes and cables going through the Main Deck will be sealed.
Superstructure
• The fly deck plating is a sandwich of different thicknesses as per CE Rules.
• The reinforcement structure is of longitudinal type, with longitudinal stiffeners, transversal bulkheads, and pillars as additional elements.
• One watertight hatch will be mounted in the way of the engine room to allow the mounting and disassembly of the main engines.
• Special reinforcements will be placed in the way of the main stressed area like side doors and bases of the roll- bar.
Structural Bulkheads
• Adequate structural bulkheads are provided in compliance with the General Arrangement Plans, three of these will be watertight.
• The bulkheads will generally be made in a sandwich of marine plywood with a core of polyethylene (“Laricross” or similar) or in marine plywood of adequate thickness.
• The escape hatches will be in accordance with the CE Rules.
Tanks – Capacity Plan
• All the tanks on board are “structural” type, integrated into the hull in such a way as to reduce the occupied space and optimize storage space.
• All the tanks are built in GRP, laminated in monolithic and sandwich, laminated on board, and then assembled on board. They are designed with enough internal reinforcements to provide the continuity of the hull stiffness.
• The main fuel tanks are laid transversally in the front of the engine room and are shaped to occupy the room between the hull, deck, and sides.
• The fresh, grey, and black water collection tanks are laminated on the keel after having completed the hull bottom lamination.
• The tanks will be fitted with the necessary vents and fittings, and they will be pressure tested as required by the Classification Society.
Noise and Vibration Insulation
Insulation is provided to guarantee maximum comfort and safety onboard the vessel in all circumstances. The noise insulation and thermal insulation of the engine room with respect to the rest of the vessel are as follows:
• Ceiling, walls, and bulkhead insulation between the engine room and the accommodation areas inside the engine room, will be realized with thermal insulation sandwich fixed by needles and finished with steel plate fixed onto aluminum grid supports.
• Engine room/ accommodation area, accommodation side realized with thermal insulation sandwich fixed with needles, integrated onto floating bulkhead on viscous-elastic elements.
• Insulation of extraction and ventilation trunks realized with thermal insulation sandwich fixed with needles.
• Insulation of gas exhaust piping is realized with thermal insulation sandwich guaranteeing optimal thermal insulation, flame resistance, and self-extinguishing.
Insulation of the accommodation areas is as follows:
• Acoustic insulation of each cabin was realized with a thermal insulation sandwich inserted into the bulkheads and the flooring.
• Thermal/Acoustic insulation between the crew quarters and guest cabins realized with a thermal insulation sandwich fixed with needles, integrated onto a floating bulkhead on viscous-elastic elements.
• Thermal/Acoustic insulation of the walls and exposed surfaces realized with thermal insulation sandwich fixed with needles.
Teak Deck
• The main deck will be covered in high quality teak with planks 12mm thick glued directly onto the deck. Teak grating for easy drainage will cover the steps leading to the swimming platform and the platform itself.
Weathertight Doors, Portholes and Hatches
• Weathertight side doors will be built in aluminum and GRP, with hand wheel closing systems, fitted with stainless steel hinges and locks. The seals will be silicon-type.
• The weathertight deck hatches will be made of aluminum/reinforced polymer covered in teak or steel and tempered glass with a manual closing system and block system on the opening position.
• The portholes will be made of stainless steel AISI 316 and tempered glass.
Windows
• Windows will have crystal panels with black border edges, designed with the width and characteristics as required by the CE Rules.
• The windows fixed on the wheelhouse will be stratified and will be fitted with windscreen wipers.
• The fly bridge windscreen will be made with a frame of stainless steel.
• All windows of the superstructure will be flush mounted glued directly to the GRP.
