BLONDECELL, FREEWARD MARINE Simon Rogers Cutter Rigged One Design para vender (2004) en Savannah, Estados Unidos

Iconic and very important research vessel - Simon Rogers Cutter Rigged One Design SONG OF THE WHALE, conceived and built for world wide research use. She is super quiet and has accomplished some very important missions, researching and helping to understand and protect cetaceans the world over. Custom built for the job, she is MCA Category 0 and remains maintained in class. She now needs a new owner or help to keep her at sea carrying out her important role on the international stage.

Construction

• The vessel was designed in accordance with Lloyds Special Service Craft Rules and with MCA Category 0 requirements. The vessel was built under survey (Lloyds Register). 
• Approved by Lloyd’s Register under the Special Service Craft Rules as Service Group 6 (unrestricted service) and with an MCA Category 0 certificate (issued by LR on behalf of the UK MCA).

Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction:

• The Hull was built under survey (LR) in accordance with approved drawings. 
• Hull material is mild steel. 
• The ring deck is stainless steel. 
• Superstructure (LR approved) is of GRP construction bolted and bonded to the hull.
• The hull has a large D section rubber fender bonded, rather than bolted, just below the toe rail.
• Numerous M10 securing points are distributed around the working deck.

Keel & Rudder:

• The keel is of mild steel integral to the hull with a bolted lead bulb (Iron Brothers).
• The Rudder stock and web is stainless steel with a GRP blade. 
• Designed and built in accordance with LR SSC Rules.

Machinery

Engine & Gearboxes:

• 1 x Yanmar 6LYA-STP 370hp.
• Twin Disc MG-5061A 2.47:1 (5HV-571).

Maintenance & Performance:

• Engine last serviced - April 2021, vessel currently laid up afloat with systems being run up regularly.
• Operating speed under power - cruising 6.5 knots, maximum 9.5 knots.
• Cruising speed – approximately 6.5 knots @ 2200 rpm.
• Maximum speed – approximately 9.5 knots @ 3000 rpm.
• Fuel consumption at cruising speed – approximately 14 litres per hour.
• Range @ cruising speed – approximately 1500 Nm.

Propulsion & Steering:

• 5 blade fixed propeller, 27 x 17 RH APS SKEW100.
• The vessel’s machinery was chosen specifically to reduce airborne and structural noise.  This includes the smooth running 6-cylinder Yanmar engine and the quiet Twin Disc gearbox. 
• Halyard Engine Mounts are employed along with an Aquadrive shaft coupling.  The shaft drives a bespoke (APS) 5 bladed fixed propeller designed specifically to reduce cavitation and therefore waterborne noise. 
• An automatic shaft break (Delner Brakes) is fitted to lock the shaft and propeller when the vessel is under sail.
• The steering is a Whitlock Mamba system incorporating a Mamba Drive Autopilot motor coupled directly with the system. 
• There are two linked helms in the cockpit. Each helm position includes engine controls which are linked, thereby aiding close quarters maneuvering when operating close to wildlife and or deploying/retrieving equipment.

Electrical Systems

AC Power:  

• The two inverters described above are identical so that there is redundancy in the event of one failing.

Voltage Systems:

• The vessel has two separate 230V AC ring mains each with numerous UK type outlets (Type G) fitted throughout the vessel, many of which incorporate dual USB charging sockets. 
• The Domestic supply is fed from either the generator, a Mastervolt pure sine wave inverter or shore power. 
• In addition to the standard UK power outlets, there is an industrial 16A 230V AC shorepower type outlet in the Lazarette suitable for a dive compressor or other high load tools/equipment.
• The second ring main is designated the “Clean” supply and is reserved for noise sensitive research electronics and computer systems. 
• The Clean supply is powered via a Mastervolt pure Sine wave Inverter connected to the main battery bank.  Power distribution is via a separated breaker panel in the Computer Room. This arrangement ensures a clean uninterruptable power supply to sensitive equipment.
• In addition to the standard power outlets the Domestic supply powers house loads such as a dishwasher, washing machine, air-conditioning/heating, battery chargers and black and grey water tank discharge pumps.
• 24v DC supply for standard vessel equipment and electronics, lighting, inverters and 12 DC system.
• 12V DC supply for 12V only Navigation and communication equipment.

Battery Banks:

• The Main Engine and Generator each have a dedicated 12V DC start battery.  These batteries are located in a dedicated ventilated battery box in the Engine Room and can be paralleled if required via a solenoid switch outside the Engine Room.
• Main Battery Bank - 24V DC 1500Ah battery bank comprising 12 x 2V 1500 Ah Mastervolt Gel cells.  Dedicated ventilated battery box in the Engine Room new batteries in 2019.
• Electro Hydraulic Battery Bank (powers 24V DC hydraulic boost pump) 6 x Optima Blue AGM 12V batteries wired for 24V.  New in 2018. Dedicated ventilated battery box in Engine Room.
• LSA Batteries - 2x 12V DC in Series for 24V and 1 x 12V DC to provide backup power for LSA equipment.  Secured in dedicated ventilated battery box in Cockpit locker.

Battery Chargers:

• 2 x Mastervolt Mass24/100 - Charge Main Battery Bank.  The chargers can be run individually or in parallel.
• 1 x Mastervolt Mass 24/50 – Charge Electro Hydraulic Battery Bank.
• 1 x Mastervolt Chargemaster 12/10 – Charge Main Engine start battery.
• 2 x Mastervolt Magic 24/12 10 DC/DC Converters - Charge 12V LSA battery and power 12V DC Navigation electronics.  Located at Navigation Station.

Alternators:

• 1 x Yanmar standard 12V engine alternator- Charges the Main Engine start battery.  The alternator has been adapted to work with an external regulator to that it continues to charge at low engine revs.
• 1 x Mastervolt 24V 160A alternator with external Alpha Pro regulator.  Charges Main and Electro Hydraulic battery banks via Mastervolt Battery Mate battery isolators.

Generators:

• 1 x Onan 9 Kw generator.
• Generator last serviced - April 2021, vessel currently laid up afloat with systems being run up regularly.
• 2 x Silentwind Pro 400 (24V) wind turbines mounted on A Frame Observation platform.
• 2 x Watt & Sea Pod 600 (24V) Hydro-generators (2022).

Shore Power:

• Shore power is connected via an isolation transformer that accepts either 230V or 110V AC input.

Other Electrical:

• 400W of 24V solar panels.

Plumbing Systems

Fresh Water & Water Heating System:

• Hot and cold water are circulated throughout the vessel via tandem pressure pump and associated accumulator tanks in the Engine Room.  Additionally, it is possible to manually pump cold water to the Galley sink.
• The Galley sink cold fresh water supply passes through a General Ecology Seagull IV water filter.
• Hot water is from a twin coil calorifier water tank in the Engine Room.  Coils are fed from the main engine fresh water cooling circuit and/or the Eberspacher Hydronic 10 Diesel heater.  Additionally, there is a 23V AC immersion heater in the hot water tank which can be powered from the generator or shore power.

Watermaker:

• 100 Litres per hour Seafresh Water-maker. 
• The water-maker is 230V AC and is powered by the Onan generator or inverter. 
• The water-maker seawater feed passes through a heat exchanger connected to the generator cooling system prior to being pressurized.  By preheating the feed the water-maker is able to continue operating efficiently when sailing in cold waters.

Bilge Pumps:

Primary Bilge Pumping System:

• There are six bilge suctions all are connected to a bilge manifold in the Saloon from which they can be pumped out by either of two pumps:-
• Engine driven Jabsco pump 195 litres/min at engine speed of 1500rpm.
• Hand operated Jabsco ‘Amazon Warrior’ pump 135 litres per minute located in the cockpit.
• The bilge manifold has an extra suction in the cockpit that can be connected to a portable suction tube and used to pump out tenders or other vessels if required.

In addition to the above the vessel is also equipped with the following:-

• 1 x Portable (board mounted) hand operated Jabsco ‘Amazon Warrior’ pump 135 litres per minute located in cockpit locker.
• Gusher Urchin hand pump fitted at Forward Lobby to pump out small amounts of rain water which can accumulate at the foot of the mast after heavy rain.
• Gusher Urchin hand pump fitted in Lazarette to pump out any residual water in the shallow aft bilge that may be left by the main bilge pumping system.

Tankage

Fuel:

• Total fuel capacity of 3,300 litres in 5 tanks.
• Fuel tanks are arranged as 2 x hull tanks and 3 x keel tanks of which one is the “Day tank” from which all services draw. 
• Fuel is transferred to the day tank via a manifold using either a 24V DC electric pump or a manual rotary pump.  During the fuel transfer process all fuel passes through two fuel filters, Racor turbine/water separator and a disposable paper filter.  The fuel transfer manifold also includes separate shutoff valves for all diesel services.
• Further Racor turbine filters are fitted on the Engine Room forward bulkhead and supply the Engine and Generator.
• Fuel levels for each tank are monitored via Tank Tender gauges fitted on the Bridge Deck.

Fresh Water:

• Total fresh water capacity is 1,200 litres stored in 2 x 600L tanks. 
• A valve manifold between the tanks allows which tank the pressure pumps draw from and also determine which tank the water-maker fills.

Grey/Blackwater Holding Tanks:

• 2 x Grey water holding tanks – forward tank approximately 340 litres and aft tank approximately 400 litres.
• 2 x Black water tanks – forward tank approximately 340 litres and aft tank approximately 400 litres.
• Each pair of Grey/Blackwater tanks share an electric (230V AC) and manual pump which can be used for pumping out the tanks at sea. 
• The Blackwater tanks also have deck fittings allowing them to the pumped out at a suitable shore side facility.

Navigation Equipment

In Cockpit:

• Simrad Autopilot control – one in main companionway hatch, one at helm position.
• 2 x Suunto D-165 helm compass.
• Echopilot 2D Forward Looking Sonar.
• Weatherproof computer terminal – linked to vessel’s computer network.
• Yanmar Engine alarms and instruments (repeaters in Saloon).
• 5 x Simrad IS15 series instrument heads. 
• Simrad RS86 VHF station.

At Chart Table:

• Simrad CA44 Multi RADAR – Multi Function GPS/Plotter /RADAR /Dual frequency Depth Sounder.
• Simrad RS86 Dual Station VHF radio (DSC).
• Prosser Digital Barometer.
• Simrad HS80 GPS Gyro Compass and repeater.
• Sea-Me Active RADAR Transponder.
• Simrad IS15 Display.
• ICS NAVTEX Receiver.
• 22” LCD monitor / Keyboard & trackball mouse – SOTW is equipped with a number of computers which can be accessed from a number of different work stations, one being the chart table.  The Navigation Computer runs the Commercial ECDIS package dKart Navigator which uses C-MAP NT Professional charts.
• Mastervolt Mass Inverter Control.
• Main Engine Racor Fuel filter water separator alarms.

Communications Equipment:

• SOTW equipped and compliant with GMDSS Sea Areas A1, A2, A3, & A4 (all areas).
• Simrad RS86 Dual station Marine VHF with DSC.
• Icom IC-M330GE Compact VHF with DSC.
• Furuno FS2570 (250W) SSB Radio with DSC.
• 4 x Icom hand held VHF radios.
• AOR5000 Scanning receiver.
• McMurdo Smartfind M5 Class A AIS Transponder.
• Iridium Extreme 9575 with POTS Dock docking station.
• Iridium Pilot – voice and data terminal.
• LT-3100S GMDSS System (Iridium voice & data).
• Starlink with Flat High Performance antenna.

Domestic Equipment

Galley:

• GN Espace XL 5 burner LPG cooker with thermostatic oven and wide grill.  The gas locker has stowage for 6 x 13Kg Propane cylinders.
• 3 x Frigoboat stainless steel refrigerators.
• 2 x Frigoboat stainless steel freezers.
• 1 x Fischer & Paykel single Dish drawer dishwasher.
• 2 x Panasonic bread makers.
• Lelit Anna Espresso machine.
• Double stainless steel sink.
• Stainless steel work surfaces.
• Ample storage for galley equipment.

Heads/Showers:

• 2 x Heads compartments. The lower part and sink/hand basins are of a single GRP moulding to facilitate easy cleaning and maintenance.
• Lavac toilet which can pump overboard or to a holding tank.
• Sink/hand basin.
• Grohe Shower.
• Ample storage for cleaning materials and personal effects.

Heating & Ventilation:

• The vessel has a wet heating system with thermostatically controlled radiators in each cabin.  
• Heating is provided by a diesel fired Eberspacher Hydronic 10 and/or a 230V AC electric boiler run from the generator or shore power. 
• 2024 Additional heat exchanger to be installed enabling waste heat from the main engine to heat to heat the domestic radiator circuit.
• Ventilation is provided by numerous dorade vents throughout the vessel, in addition to Lewmar Ocean series hatches.  There are numerous fans fitted throughout the vessel.
• 2 x Dometic self-contained air-conditioning units are fitted to the vessel.  In the Computer room and in the Aft Saloon.

Entertainment:

• Sony CD/Bluetooth/FM Radio fitted in the Aft Saloon.  Speakers in the Saloon and Bridge Deck.

Lighting:

• 24V DC LED lighting is fitted throughout the vessel with high output work lights being fitted in high use areas such as the Galley, Engine Room and Lazarette/Workshop. 
• Red lighting is fitted throughout the common areas of the vessel and is switched centrally from the Navigation Station.
• Each bunk is fitted with a reading lamp.

Accommodation

Summary of Accommodation:

• Comfortable, purpose designed accommodation for 10-12 people, in 4 cabins and forepeak
• 2 x heads compartments
• Large saloon/galley area for meetings, meals and relaxing.
• Dedicated computer room.
• Bridge deck with desk space and chart table.
• In addition, there is a workshop (for building, repairing, maintaining and storing equipment).
• During the build, it was specified that where possible timber used be FSC certified.  Approximately 80% of the timber used in the build was from certified sources including the hardwood trim. 
• The vessel interior is finished in a manner typical of an offshore commercial vessel or workboat with an emphasis on simplicity and ease of maintenance/cleaning. 
• Bulkheads, cabin doors, head linings and interior joinery are of melamine faced ply trimmed with hardwood.  
• Sole boards are plywood painted with an easily available non-slip deck paint.  This makes for an easily maintained non-slip surface in an environment where work boots are more commonly worn than deck shoes.

Description of layout from forwards:

• Throughout the accommodation, care has been taken to ensure that each cabin space/bunk has sufficient personal stowage which is separate from stowage assigned to spares and equipment. 
• All bunks have a reading light and fan.

Forepeak:

• Watertight Door to chain locker over 2 x watertight collision tanks.
• Folding ladder and Lewmar Ocean Hatch to deck.
• The forepeak has sail storage bins and provision to fit 2 x pipecots if required. 
• A 4m carbon fiber passarelle is stored against the deck head. 
• Bowthruster tunnel below raised sole.
• Watertight door to Forward cabin.

Forward Cabin (Cabin 4):

• 4 x single bunks top two being adjustable pipecots (with mattresses). 
• Personal stowage on shelves and in drawers. 
• Under (bottom) bunk stowage used for spare LSA equipment and vessels inventory of foul weather gear. 
• 2 x Lewmar Ocean hatches and dorade vents.
• 2 x central heating radiators. 
• Stowage under soleboards.
• Door to forward Lobby.

Forward Lobby: 

• Washing machine with laundry stowage above and general stowage below. 
• Forward heads/shower compartment with sliding door. 
• Ladder to deck via Lewmar Ocean Hatch.
• Below sole valves and pumps for Black/Grey pump out and FW manifolds. 
• Wooden door to Cabin3. 
• Mast/mast step with stowage behind for stretcher.

Cabin 3:

• 2 x single bunks with personal stowage on shelves and in drawers. 
• Stowage below lower bunk currently used for rigging and electrical spares. 
• Parachute sea anchor stowed below cabin sole. 
• Ventilation hatch to deck.
• Non opening port light in the hull.
• Central heating radiator.

Forward Heads:

• Lavac toilet with bulkhead mounted pump and pipework for ease of maintenance. 
• Grohe thermostatic shower. 
• Washbasin and storage lockers. 
• Washing machine fresh water selector valve in locker.  This allows for the washing machine to be run in harbour using a water supply from the shore rather than the FW tanks.  This is used in a situation where the port supply is questionable and water-maker product water is being conserved.
• WT door to Lobby.

Lobby:

• Cabin1 to Port and Cabin2 to Stbd, steps up to Bridge Deck. 
• The steps to Bridge Deck can be raised and secured to access the fuel transfer manifold and emergency fuel shut off valves.

Cabin 2:

• 2 x single bunks with personal stowage on shelves and in drawers. 
• Stowage below lower bunk currently used for engine and generator spares.
• Lewmar Ocean hatch to deck.
• Non opening portlight in hull.
• Central heating radiator. 
• Spill kit stored here.

Cabin 1:

• Double bunk, with partition divider and single adjustable pipe cot (with mattress) over.
• Folding desk with seat.
• Personal stowage is in drawers, shelves and a half height wardrobe. 
• The MCA medical kit is stowed in this cabin along with medical oxygen supplies and a defibrillator. 
• Masters safe, used for stowage of controlled drugs. 
• Under bunk stowage used for medical and other spares. 
• Lewmar Ocean hatch and non-opening port light in hull.

Bridge Deck:

• The Bridge deck is raised above the weather deck. 
• Approved double glazed toughened glass windows give a good view forward and to port and starboard.
• Starboard side, Navigation station with forward facing chart table.  Navigation and communications equipment all within reach. 
• Main AC and DC distribution panels located here.
• Central heating radiator close to chart table. 
• Aft off the chart table is the computer room with purpose built 19”rack system to house research electronics.   There is a computer terminal and storage for electronics spares and equipment.  The Computer room has both air-conditioning and heating.  An easily accessible cable duct is fitted running between the Computer room and desk (below) which facilitates temporary installation of project specific research equipment.

Port Side of the Bridge Deck:

• A forward facing two or three-person desk area with computer terminal and multiple power outlets can be configured for a range of purposes including data entry and recording film editing and setting up equipment. 
• The bench seat has a lockable flip/flop back rest allowing it to be used by crew preparing to go on watch.
• Below the workbench are numerous small storage drawers. 
• Below the bench seat a large Pelican case is installed on industrial drawer runners and is used for dry/airtight storage of camera equipment when not in use.
• A pilot berth is located outboard under the side decks on the port side of the Bridge Deck.
• Outboard of the steps aft down to the Galley Saloon is a heated wet locker with sufficient storage space for the crew’s foul weather gear. 
• Stowage for nautical publications and manuals fitted above the wet locker.
• 2 x Lewmar Ocean hatches and 2 x dorade vents fitted in deck head.

Saloon/Galley: 

• Accessed via steps down from the Bridge Deck and watertight door.  Aft heads/shower on port side.
• Large secure galley on port side.
• Starboard side large Oak Saloon table with seating the entire crew and on occasion up to 15 people. 
• The saloon has regularly been used for meetings when the vessel has hosted guests, VIPs, politicians and decision makers.  It has also been used as a classroom for groups of school children.  There is a large pull down screen and Power point projector in the saloon, used for meetings/lessons and or entertainment purposes. 
• Extensive bookshelves are outboard of the saloon table. 
• Food storage under the seats and in Galley lockers, fridges and freezers.
• On the forward bulkhead of the Saloon are controls and monitoring equipment for various vessel systems.  Also, fitted here is the bilge/fire manifold.
• Central heating radiator, air conditioning, fans and extractors fitted in the Saloon/Galley.
• Watertight door forward to Engine room.
• Watertight door aft to Lazarette.

Engine Room:

• From forward on centerline; main engine & gearbox with hydraulic pump, Aquadrive, shaftbreak. 
• Athwartships running under the engine is the main seawater manifold with two inlets allowing one to be shut down for servicing while continuing to run all sea water services.
• From forward on starboard side:  Racor turbine filters for main engine and generator, fresh water pressure pumps, engine and generator start battery box, generator and watermaker raw water preheat heat exchanger, Eberspacher heater, hot water cylinder, watermaker, isolation transformer, electro hydraulic battery bank.
• From forward on port side: Main DC distribution board, hydraulic oil tank, main battery bank, Mastervolt chargers and inverters, hydraulic switch gear, DC hydraulic boost pump, main engine exhaust silencer and exhaust pump. 
• Both main engine and generator employ Halyard exhaust lift silencers and separators to reduce exhaust noise.
• The Engine room is lined with layers of Halyard sound proofing material and Rockwool to significantly reduce air and structure borne noise. 
• A Pyrogen automatic firefighting system is installed in the Engine room.

Lazarette:

• The lazarette is set up to be easily adapted to suit the project in question.  
• Stowage racks for fresh fruit and vegetables are located close to the WT door adjacent to the Saloon/Galley. 
• There is dedicated tool storage, a work bench with full sized vice and a second workbench with sink equipped with fresh and salt water and options for conventional overboard discharge or chemical capture so that the area can be used as a wet lab. 
• When not in use the vessel’s tenders can be packed up and stowed here. 
• Ladder and Lewmar Ocean hatch access to the aft deck plus a large WT ‘cargo’ hatch which can be opened to facilitate the loading/unloading of large items of equipment.

Deck Equipment

Rig:

• New Standing Rigging – October 2022.
• Bermudan Cutter (air draft 33m) built by Atlantic Spars rig with Reckmann furling head stays.
• The mast has a crow’s nest with access steps fitted to give an eye height of 11m above the water.
• Aft A -Frame Observation platform provides a standardised eye height of 5m above the water for observers during visual surveys.
• Blocks and deck fittings by Lewmar, Atlantic Spars and Antal.

Winches:

• All Winches manual Lewmar except the main halyard winch which is powered (24V DC). 
• Primary and mainsheet winches are driven by a Lewmar ‘coffee grinder’. 
• Winch arrangement set up to simplify sailing while minimizing disruption to the work program of the vessel e.g. research or filming.
• Spencer Carter hydraulic capstan on aft working deck, used for handling hydrophones, research equipment and mooring lines/stern anchor if required.  A spare “plug and play” hydraulic function is available in the Lazarette.

Sails:

• Sail Area: 267 sq m (working sail).
• Yankee/Genoa – Sanders Sails (spare available).
• Stay’sl – OneSails (spare available).
• Main -Doyle .
• Storm Stay sail – Doyle.
• Storm Try sail (sets on separate track) – Doyle.
• APC with snuffer – Doyle.

General:

• Large aft deck (with hydraulic winch) and folding dive platform (with access via steps to the water).

Anchoring & Mooring Equipment:

• Primary anchor - 110kg Bruce with 150m x 12.5mm galvanised calibrated chain (Grade U2).
• Secondary anchor - 40kg Delta anchor with 30m x 12.5mm galvanised calibrated chain and 150m of 19mm multi-plait warp.
• Stern anchor - 40kg Bruce with 10m x 12.5mm galvanised calibrated chain and 50m of 19mm multi-plait warp.
• Sea anchor - ParaAnchors Australia parachute anchor sized to vessel with 100m matched warp.

Covers, Canvas & Cushions:

• Mainsail/boom cover.
• Deck sun Awning.
• A-Frame Observation platform sunshade.
• Winter Cockpit tent.
• All cushions and mattresses in Navy Sunbrella to code.

Tender & Outboard:

• 2 x Zodiac GRII (4.2m) commercial.
• 25 hp Yamaha 4 stroke.
• 9.5 hp Yamaha 4 stroke.

Safetry Equipment

• Safety equipment meets and exceeds MCA code of practice requirements.

Fire-Fighting Equipment:

• Fire-fighting equipment meets and exceeds MCA code of practice requirements.