User:Wexcan/Drafts/HSS 1500
 HSS Stena Explorer at Dún Laoghaire
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | HSS 1500 |
| Builders | Finnyards, Finland |
| Operators | list error: <br /> list (help) Stena Line Albamar Shipping Company |
| Built | June 1994 - April 1997 |
| In service | April 1996 - present |
| Completed | 3 |
| Active | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | High-speed catamaran |
| Tonnage | 19,638 GT |
| Length | 126.6 m (415 ft 4 in) |
| Beam | 40.0 m (131 ft 3 in) |
| Draught | 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in) |
| Installed power | list error: <br /> list (help) COGAG Turbines: 2x GE LM2500 2x GE LM1600 |
| Propulsion | 4x Kamewa Type S Waterjets |
| Capacity | list error: <br /> list (help) 1,500 passengers 375 cars 800 lane metres |
HSS 1500 is the name of a class of high-speed craft originally ordered and operated by Stena Line on European international ferry routes. The vessels are the largest high-speed craft in the world.[citation needed]
Three vessels were ultimately completed in 1996 and 1997. The vessels were built to operate around the British Isles.
Design and construction
[edit]Stena Explorer was constructed by Finnyards in Rauma, Finland.[1][2] The first of the class, HSS Stena Explorer, entered service in 1996.[3]
The HSS 1500 is a catamaran, and was designed with the aim of providing a comfortable and fast service.[4]
Power is provided by four GE Aviation gas turbines in a twin COGAG configuration.[5] The vessels employ four Kamewa waterjets for propulsion.[3]
The HSS class of ferries were designed to allow quick turnarounds at port. A specially designed linkspan provides ropeless mooring and allows quick loading, unloading and servicing. Vehicles are loaded via two of the four stern doors and park in a "U" configuration. When disembarking, vehicles drive straight off via the other two doors.[3]
Ships
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Stena Explorer". DNV Echange. Det Norske Veritas. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
- ^ "Stena Explorer" (in Swedish). Fakta Om Fartyg. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
- ^ a b c "Stena Explorer". Sealink-Holyhead. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
- ^ "The story behind the building of the first Stena HSS". Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
- ^ "GE Marine Engines' LM Gas Turbines Exceed 600,000 Hours Operating Aboard 16 Fast Ferries" (Press release). GE Aviation. 2002-09-09. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
Each semi-swath fast ferry has two LM1600 and two LM2500 gas turbines in a COmbined Gas and Gas (COGAG) turbine configuration.