Research Vessel Jakob Prei Conducting Hydrographic Survey
The Jakob Prei, a Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) survey vessel operated by the Estonian Maritime Administration, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, making it suitable for precise hydrographic and oceanographic surveys.
The vessel, built by Abeking&Rasmussen (A&R) in 2012, measures 25.65 meters in length, 13 meters in width, and has a draft of 2.7 meters. It is designed to accommodate a crew of 6 people (with a capacity for 8), including 2 hydrographers.
The Jakob Prei is powered by 2 x 800 kW MAN diesel engines, capable of a maximum speed of 20 knots. It is designed to operate in sea state 6 with a significant wave height of 3.5 meters.
All survey equipment, except the motion sensor, transducers, and winches, is installed into the wheelhouse. The ship is equipped with 2 Topcon NET G3A RTK GPS for precise positioning. For multi-beam data collection, the ship uses Estonian survey software RAN running in a linux-based workstation.
The Jakob Prei is also equipped with a Valeport MIDAS sound velocity profiler, controllable from the container and connected to the survey computer in the wheelhouse. It uses a RESON 7125 SV2 multi-beam 200/400 kHz with SVP 70 sound velocity probe and hull mounted transducer for detailed underwater surveys.
For side-scan sonar deployment, the vessel is equipped with an Edgetech 4200 MP side-scan sonar 300/900 kHz with depressor wing, controllable from the container, aft part of the ship, and wheelhouse. It also has a Meridata MD DSS 2-8 kHz sub-bottom profiler with a hull mounted transducer for subsurface investigations.
The Jakob Prei's port side is used by hydrographers for performing surveys, while the ship's navigation and operating equipment is installed in the starboard side of the wheelhouse. For guiding the ship on survey lines, the helmsman display is installed in front of the steering wheel.
The ship is equipped with 400V/220V and 24V electrical systems, powered by 2 x 80 kW generators. It also has a VSAT system for internet connectivity in remote areas.
The Jakob Prei's design offers advantages such as enhanced stability in rough seas, reduced motion, and better seakeeping compared to conventional monohull vessels. However, SWATH vessels also have some disadvantages relative to conventional hulls, including higher construction and maintenance costs, possibly reduced cargo and fuel efficiency at lower speeds, and more complicated machinery, potentially limiting shallow water access.
The ship is further equipped with a MOB lift on the starboard side, a sauna, and a 6-meter long container on the fore part for equipment storage. With designed noise levels in wheelhouse and accommodation spaces up to 67 dB(A), the Jakob Prei offers a comfortable working environment for its crew.
Despite extensive searches, there appears to be no relevant information regarding the advantages and disadvantages of the Jakob Prei or comparisons to its predecessors used by the Estonian Maritime Administration. For detailed technical comparisons or specific operational experience, further specialized sources or official reports from the Estonian Maritime Administration would be needed.
The Jakob Prei, with its capabilities in hydrographic surveys, could be beneficial for mapping the seafloor in sports events that require precise water depth and underwater topography information, such as sailing regattas or underwater sports competitions.
To ensure the safety of weather-dependent sports events, the Jakob Prei's advanced technology and precise positioning systems could aid in accurate forecasting and risk assessment during event planning and execution.
