More on the R/V Western Flyer Dr. Peter Brewer pictured with the R/V Western Flyer as she's almost ready
to leave the shipyard.
|
Vessel description
| Design Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Displacement at DWL | 419 LT |
| Gross Tonnage | 499 US, 847 ITC |
| Net Tonnage | 230 US, 254 ITC |
| Length (LOA) | 117'-3 5/8" |
| Beam Moulded | 53'-0" |
| Draft DWL | 12'-0" |
| Horsepower | 2,500 HP |
| Max. Speed | 14.5 knots |
| Endurance, 8 knots | 4000 n.m. |
| Complement (including Science) | 26 |
| Fuel Capacity | 22,000 gallons |
| Potable Water | 2400 gallons |
| Clean L.O. Capacity | 700 gallons |
| Dirty L.O. Capacity | 700 gallons |
| Ballast Capacity | 19,530 gallons |
| Gray Water | 300 gallons |
| Black Water | 50 gallons |
General arrangement 
Accommodations are provided for a combination of 26 crew members and scientists in 14 staterooms located on the upper deck. The crew complement is ten for all voyages and the combination of ROV staff and scientists (16) brings the total vessel complement to 26.
Equipment and control/monitoring systems
The main machinery plant is diesel electric with a common power bus connecting five generators. Any combination of generator operation will provide power for both propulsion and other vessel operations. This design arrangement provides a high level of machinery plant redundancy and operational flexibility. Propulsion power is transmitted through two duplicate drive trains, each consisting of a DC electric motor and fixed pitch propeller. Silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR's) are used to convert generated AC power to DC propulsive power. Two electric motor-driven bow thrusters are installed to enhance maneuvering and station-keeping.
| Primary equipment and control/monitoring systems | |
|---|---|
| Five generators | Two Caterpillar, Model 3512, 850 kW Two Caterpillar, Model 3408, 350 kW One Caterpillar, Model 3306B, 195 kW |
| Two propulsion motors | GE, 1250HP ea, 400 RPM |
| Two bow thrusters | Omnithruster, HCT 600, 300 HPea |
| Four SCR drives | GE, Model DC2000 |
| Fuel centrifuge | Alfa Laval, Model MAB 103 |
| Marine sanitation device | Orca, Model 11A-36 |
| Air compressor | Quincy, Model QR 25 |
| One water-maker | Sea Recovery model SCR5M3-SW-H |
| Cathodic protection/monitor | Swath Ocean Systems, Inc. |
| Uninterruptible power supply | Exide Pwr Wave +18, J1842AU131EE00A |
| Monitoring system | Intl. Integrated Systems, 300+ inputs |
| Generator control | Point 8 |
| Propulsion control | Nautronix/GE/Omnithruster |
| Bow thruster control | Omnithruster B2000 |
| Ballast system control | Swath Ocean Systems, Inc. |
| Primary navigation and communication equipment | |
|---|---|
| GPS | Leica MX420, Furuno SC120 |
| Radar | Furuno, Models FR2110 & FR1941 |
| Gyro compass | Sperry FOG Furuno SC120 |
| Dynamic positioning | Nautronix, Model ASK 4001 |
| Autopilot | Maritime Dynamics Inc, Nautronix ASK 4001. |
| Motion Control | Maritime Dynamics Inc. |
| Steering system | Swath Ocean Systems, Inc. / Maritime Dynamics |
| GMDSS station | Furuno model RC5000 3T, areas A1-A3 |
| Depth sounder | Knudsen 3208/R (good to 5000m) |
| PBX system | Meridian: Phone/intercom/cellular/watch |
| Weather station | Barometer, wind indicator, Furuno FW-200 |
| Computing station | Chart and Navigation |
| Dopler | Furuno CI-80 current indicator |
| Primary fire fighting and safety equipment | |
|---|---|
| Fire detection and alarm system | Cerebus Pyrotronics MXL |
| SOLAS Rescue Boat | Ribcraft 5.85m with 75 Honda outboard motor |
| Life rafts | Two 25-Man Viking |
| Extinguishing systems | Portable & fixed - (7) Fire Hose Stations |
| EPIRB | Two 9Ghz SARTs, One 406Mhz w/121.5 Mhz beacon |
| Primary deck machinery | |
|---|---|
| Cranes | One - Model HIAB 290 One - Modified Effer |
| CTD winch system | Dynacon 12030 Capacity: 6500 m of .322 in. cable Max. continuous line pull: Bare drum - 7000 lbs.@100 fpm Full drum - 4300 lbs.@140 fpm Max. continuous line speed: Bare drum - 240 fpm @ 2500 lbs. Full drum - 415 fpm @ 1450 lbs. |
| Anchor windlass | Kolstrand Akphaw 223324 |
| Mooring winches | Four - Marco WG023 |
| ROV umbilical handling system |
Dynacon TV3615K/SW3616K |
| Stern "A-Frame" | 13,000 lbs. SWL; 14 ft wide, 13 ft clearance through entire range of motion. |

Dr. Peter Brewer pictured with the R/V Western Flyer as she's almost ready
to leave the shipyard.