TYPE Explorer Motor Yacht
HULL NO 335
HELIPAD Helipad
OFFICIAL NUMBER 727423
BUILDER Amels – The Netherlands
EXTERIOR DESIGN Dutch Naval Design
YEAR 1974
CONVERTION 1999 by Vosper Thornycroft — UK
REFIT 2008-2009
CONSTRUCTION Steel hull and superstructure; Bolidt deck, Teak main deck
FLAG UK, London
ENGINES 3 x Deutz BA8M816W
GT 865 tons
NT 259 tons
DISPLACEMENT 1,075 tons
DIMENSIONS
LOA 59.00m / 193’6’’
61.50m/ 201’9’’ incl. swim platform — not on registration
LWL 53.00m/ 173’
BEAM 10.69m / 35’7’’
DRAFT 4.00m / 13’1’’ min
5.20m / 13’1’’ max
AIR DRAFT 24.00m / 78’8’’
SPEED & RANGE UNDER POWER
MAXIMUM SPEED 13.5 knots
CRUISING SPEED 11 knots
RANGE 6,500nm
SPEED/USE DETAILS SPEED CONSUMPTION RANGE RPM
ECONOMICAL 8.5 knots max 2m3/24hrs 10,000nm 100%
CRUISING 11 knots max 4m3/24hrs 6,500nm 100%
MAXIMUM 13.5 knots max 6m3/24hrs not recommended 100%
CAPACITIES
ACCOMMODATION 10 x Guests in 5 cabins
1 x Master; 1 x VIP; 2 x Double; 1 x Twin
CREW 19 x Crew
FUEL 113,000 litres /29,851 US gallons
HELI FUEL 5,000 litres /1,320 US gallons
FRESH WATER 40,000 litres /10,566 US gallons
WATER MAKER 30,000 litres /2,975 US gallons per day
LUBE OIL 1,690 litres /446.5 US gallons
WASTE OIL 5,700litres / 1,506 US gallons
WASTEWATER 7,800litres / 2,060.5 US gallons
BALLAST WATER 9,220/ 2,355.6 US gallons (trim tanks)
ACCOMMODATION
· Aft Saloon
· Dining Room
· Sauna
· Fitness Room
· Massage Room
· Aft Dec k seating area
· Upper Deck Solarium/ Sun Room
· Upper Aft Deck Sun Terrace
· Sun/Observation Deck
DIESEL ELECTRIC ENGINE DETAILS
AKULA has 3 (three) 430kW Deutz engines which drive 3 DC generators which provide power for 1 (one) 816kW MPM (Main Propulsion Motor), they also provide power for the forward DC windlass and the bow thruster.
These engines also drive 3 AC generators which provide the 380v 3 phase and 220v single phase power through all the other systems on board.
In addition there are 2 x harbour generators which provide AC power for the vessel either at anchor or alongside for quieter more efficient generation when the MPM or other DC powered units are not required.
One of the major benefits of a diesel electric system is that the engines/power units do not need to be positioned aft but theoretically anywhere as all one needs is some wiring to go back to the propulsion motor which is situated way aft with a short and much quieter shaft than one which has a long run through the vessel.
MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT
ENGINES 3 x 430kW Deutz BA8M816W
1 x MPM electric producing 816kW
ENGINES HOURS 13th of November, 2014
Port: 32,510 hours; last overhaul @ 29,268 hours
Centre: 33,389 hours; last overhaul @ 30,503hours
Stbd: 32,777 hours; last overhaul @ 29,515 hours
GEARBOX Reintjes
RATIO 1760-1000
DRIVE Electric MPM; Single Prop
STEERING SYSTEM AEM — double Hydraulic
HELM/CONTROL STATIONS 2 x Bridge wing + main bridge station plus ECR
STABILISERS Vosper Thornycroft 4 fin 200 series (not zero speed) –
overhauled 2014
BOWTHRUSTER 309 kW Smit VG 52/32
GENERATORS 2 x 133kW Caterpillar C66 – 1,500 rpm 380V 50Hz
Using 200litres/d @ full load +generator
EMERGENCY GENERATOR 1 x 28kW Cummins 1,500rpm
GENERATOR HOURS As of 13 November 2014
#1: 10,191 hours
#2: 9,739 hours
#3: 25 hours on emergency generator
SHORE POWER 380V 3-Phase 50Hz
A/C Atlantic refer
INTERIOR FRESH AIR High press system
AIR COMPRESSORS 2 x HPC 5×6 7.5bar screw
Atlas Copco LE7 10bar piston
WATERMAKER 2 x HEM
FRESH WATER SYSTEM UV filter + charcoal
SEWAGE SYSTEM Hamann
BILGE WATER FILTRATION OWS DVZ500 PC/VC
FUEL FILTRATION Wartsilla centrifuge plus duplex filters
BATTERIES
MAIN ENGINE START 2 x Independent banks — auto charged — 38 batteries
GENERATOR STARTING 1 x 2 Bank per generator — auto charged
EMERGENCY 6 x Batteries maintenance free – auto charged
HELICOPTER DECK
· 15m x 10m Maximum size (EC155/S76)
· 4.5 ton maximum weight
· Suitable for Helicopter sling loading
· Retractable Hanger (will fit Squirrel or Agusta 109)
· 5,000 litres Helicopter fuel capacity
· Refueling station at deck level with 103 l/m flow rate
· Folding Safety Railings
· Tie Down Points
NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT
RADAR Kelvin Hughes 3cm «X» band atmospheric dependent range
RADAR Kelvin Hughes 10cm «S» band atmospheric dependent range
AUTOPILOT Yokogawa
Navitec Raytheon
GYROCOMPASS Yokogawa KM008
COMPASS Cassens & Plath
DEPTH SOUNDERS 2 x Fore and aft by B&G
SATNAV Transas
GPS 2 x Leica MX 412
DGPS — 2 x Leica MX412
PLOTTER SOFTWARE Transas
CHART PLOTTER Transas
NAVTEX JRC NCR-300A
AIS SAAB
WIND INSTRUMENTS 1 x B&G
1 x Furuno
SPEED LOG Walker Log
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
SATCOM Vsat equipt removed (subscription expired)
VHF FIXED Sailor RRT 5022
2 x RT 2048
VHF HANDHELD Sailor 2
I-Com 21
SSB Sailor CU 50100
TELEPHONE SYSTEM Cisco IP w/extensions in all areas
ICOM 19 x ICM-87/88
INTERCOM Cisco
SHIPS COMPUTER iMacs
PRINTER HPs officejet
INTERNET Wi-Fi internet throughout — 512 kbps max
DECK EQUIPMENT
ANCHOR WINDLASSES Krimpen EAII
ANCHORS 2 x HHP with SWL of 1,000kg
ANCHOR CHAINS 32mm x 2 x 6 shackles
CAPSTANS 1 x Coastal marine CME aft
WINDLASSES 2 x Krimpen
CRANES/DAVITS 2 x HS Marine: Starboard 6t w/SWL &Port w/3.5t SWL
BOARDING GANGWAY 1 x Manual @ stern — doubles for side boarding as well
SPOTLIGHTS 6
SEARCHLIGHTS 2
FURNITURE Dining Area with 8 x sun loungers W/dining capacity for 10
Wet Bar
AWNINGS Sun Shade Awning
ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT
CENTRAL SHIPS AUDIO Sonos
CENTRAL SHIPS VIDEO Media server — apple TV’s
FLAT SCREEN TV’S All guest areas plus crew cabins and mess – in total: 21
STEREO’S Guest areas — Sonos
Cabins — Apple TV’s
GALLEY EQUIPMENT
GALLEY
RANGE LecnoInox
OVEN 1 x Retigo RM Gastro
REFRIGERATION 2 x Whirlpool
GRILL 1 x LecnoInox
MICROWAVE 1 x Candy
FREEZER 1 x Matsui
ICEMAKERS 1 x Simag
DISHWASHERS 2 x Miele professional
WINECOOLER 1 x Electrolux, Arthur Martin
WALK IN FRIDGE Fwd of Galley
WALK IN FREEZER Lower deck
LAUNDRY
WASHING MACHINES 1 x Miele pro fwd laundry
1 x Electrolux fwd laundry
MAIN LAUNDRY DRYERS 1 Miele pro fwd laundry
1 Electrolux fwd laundry
2ND WASHERS 1 x Electrolux aft laundry
1 x Electrolux aft laundry
2ND DRYERS 1 x Electrolux aft laundry
1 x Electrolux aft laundry
PRESSING EQUIPMENT 1 x Miele
IRONING 2 x Rowenta pro perfect irons aft laundry
1 x Bosch Iron fwd laundry
1 x Laurastar fwd laundry
SAFETY & SECURITY
SECURITY
CAMERAS 5 x Cameras — 3 main deck, 1 pantry, 1 mast
MONITORS 1 x Crew mess
DOOR ALARMS 1 x Code lock
MOTION DETECTORS 1 x To security light on gangway
FIREFIGHTING
DETECTORS 8 x Heat throughout vessel
74 x Smoke throughout vessel
1 x Optical throughout vessel
22 x Call points
FIXED CO2 FIRE SYSTEM Engine Room
FIRE EXTINGUISHER 6 x Portable C02
35 x Foam & powder
SEAWATER FIREFIGHTING 8 x Hydrants throughout
2 x Pumps
Foam equipment
FIREFIGHTING SUIT 4 x FFE aft air handler locker — Drager
SAFETY
LIFERAFTS 4 x 20 man due for service Viking
LIFERINGS 10 x Perry Solas
EPIRBS ACR Cobham 406 on Bridge deck
FLARES 2 x Sets of flares
TENDERS & WATERSPORTS EQUIPMENT
TENDERS
· Tender 1 — 10.20m Naiad 2 x Yanmar driven water jets
· Tender 2 — 8m Stanley Landing craft w/150hp Yamaha outboard
· Tender 3 — 5.50 Sealegs Amphib RIB inflatable w/ Yamaha 100hp outboard
WATER SPORTS
· 2 x SeaDoo Wake 215hp Jet Skis
· Kayaks
· Water Skis
· Seabob
· Paddleboats
DIVING
· 6 x Sets of Posidon
· 1 x Compressor Bauer 300 bar
· 15 x Snorkelling equipment
· Various fishing equipment both heavy and light tackle
OTHER
· Lower deck Gym of 3mx4m with: Kettle Track running machine
· Dry Sauna
ENGINEERING WORK HISTORY
WATER MAKER HEM- HP pumps overhauled, new membranes
installed. La Ciotat 2008
ANCHOR WINDLASS In Crete 2008 windlass dismantled, inner parts checked,
damaged one replaced, windlass body sand blasted and
painted
ANCHOR CHAINS 2008 — Crete chains replaced.
AIR CONDITIONING Compressor Overhauled, Malta 2009.
HARBOUR GENERATOR 2010 — installed two new Caterpillar generators, equipped
with advance power sharing and controlled systems.
Generators relocated to better and more convenient place in
engine room.
MAIN ENGINES 3 x Deutz 430kW- installed new (second hand, standby
generators for hospitals with 300h) in 2010 by Malta ship
yard services.
Main engines recorded as generally overhauled in 2010
with +/- 3000 hours since.
GEARBOXES 3 x Reintjes
BOW THRUSTER Bearings and seals replaced. Malta 2010
STBILISERS Complete overhaul, Genoa 2014
DOUBLE BOTTOM TANKS No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11. Tanks sandblasted and painted with
Hempel epoxy paint. Tanks No 3 and 4 contain solid ballast
as iron ingots, all ingots removed, sand blasted, painted
and restored in to tanks. Black water tank- tank top, frames
and outside shell plate renewed, painted with Hempel
epoxy paint under control of Hempel surveyor. Malta 2010.
New Deck Crane PS Installed new, Norfolk 2011.
AKULA WORKS 2008 -2014
FWD GUEST AREA
Upgrade and extension of forward Laundry including:
· More machines and larger work space for interior crew.
· Forward bulkhead installed to separate guest corridor from Laundry area.
All guest cabins upgraded including:
· Rep lacing head liners and Headliner fittings.
· New lighting with sensors.
· Larger ward robe storage area.
· New bed bases with foot lighting.
· Upgrade of Bathroom fittings.
MASTER BEDROOM AND SALON
Upgrade of Master Bedroom, Bathroom and Saloon including:
· Complete new Bathroom
· Bed room fitting s and fixtures.
· Walk in Wardrobe.
CREW MESS
Upgrade and expansion of crew mess including:
· New Dinner Table, Bench-top and Cupboard storage.
· New headliners.
· Re-arranging of sea ting and removal of void spaces for better use of space.
· Installation of Apple TV entertainment system for mess, crew and guest areas.
DINING ROOM
Upgrade of Dining area including:
· New headliners.
· Marble-top dining table.
· Access door to Port side owner’s deck.
PANTRY
Upgrade of Pantry area including:
· New headliners
· Additional storage space and wine fridge.
· Additional bench space.
AFT SALOON
Upgrade of Aft Saloon including:
· New Headliners
· Fitting s and Furniture
· Small office space
AFT STORAGE AND CORRIDOR
Upgrade and expansion of Aft storage areas including the installation of:
· Gym with running machine, speed ball and punch bag
· 1 x 4 person Sauna
· Massage room.
· Day head.
HANGAR
Conversion of Hangar and Heli-Workshop into Day Room including:
· Bar, Lounge and Dining area.
· Adjoining covered exterior entertainment area.
· Removable fittings to enable storage of Helicopter when necessary.
DECK
Upgrade and addition of Cranes, Tenders, Jet Skis and including:
· 10.2m NAIAD Custom Cabin Jet Rib specifically designed for expeditions. Powered by
· Twin Yanmar 315 HP & Hamilton Jets. Top speed of 36 knots and range of over 200nm.
· 7.5m STANLEY Landing Craft with Yamaha 150HP
· 2 x Seadoo Jet skis.
· Bauer Dive Compressor.
· 2 x quad bike ATV’s
· 1 x 2 person ATV
IN ADDITION
· Bolidt Deck installed on Helideck and Observation Deck.
· All aerials, satellite dishes and scanners removed from Monkey Island above Bridge to
create large Observation Dec k with 360º views.
REFIT 2014 IN GENOA
· Complete stabiliser overhaul
· New bridge
· New navigational equipment”
COMMENTS
Formerly a Dutch navy pilot vessel «Akula» was converted to a world cruising explorer yacht in 1999 at the Vosper Thornycraft shipyard. BMT Nigel Gee provided all naval architecture and structural design for the conversion including the addition of a flight deck and helicopter hangar. Refit work
was completed at Vosper Thornycraft in 1999. A further interior and exterior refit was completed at
H2X in La Ciotat in 2008. Engine overhaul in Malta in 2010. Akula is a wonderful example of a well-kept conversion from her working days as a Dutch Pilot vessel. Originally built in Holland to the highest Dutch naval specification, her condition today reflects her high standard of construction and the maintenance and care that has followed throughout her life until now.
Akula was refitted to accommodate professional helicopter operations and to be able to cruise the most unfriendly of oceans in style, safety and comfort. Akula is equipped with four Vosper stabilizers that assist rough weather heli-operations allowing comfortable landings in up to around Force 6 weather conditions.
Three main diesel electric engines provide single screw propulsion and power. Together with the silenced generators sound (DB) levels compare well with modern day building standards. Stern and bow thrusters allow for ease of maneuvering and positioning.
This vessel, with its sturdy launches and equipment reflects the type of use she was intended for and portrays the feeling of strength and safety with a homely, comfortable atmosphere.
REFITS
· Vosper GB, 1999.
· Complete refit & conversion to Heli-ops Yacht Explorer H2X La Ciotat, 2008.
· Interior and exterior.
· Engine and Generator Overhaul Malta 2010.
· New Navigation equipment and bridge in 2014.