Sirius, the new multi-mission vessel fully designed by MAURIC

Sirius : Three missions, one single multi-mission vessel

Result of 18 months of design studies in MAURIC and built by SOCARENAM shipyard in Boulogne-sur-Mer (France), SIRIUS is a combination of technology and know-how of MAURIC for integration of complex systems on board vessels. Indeed, this vessel is fitted with complex equipment for scientific/survey equipment, launch and recovery systems, Buoy-laying capabilities but also assistance Search and rescue equipment. With her hull and superstructures in steel, SIRIUS is a polyvalent vessel thanks to her conception and equipment:

• Equipped with two heave-compensated davits, located at one-third of the length from the stern in order to limit effect of pitch motions, SIRIUS is able to deploy 5-ton pilot tenders dedicated to the transfer of Port of Ostend’s pilots
• Her open aft deck is designed for buoy-laying operations thanks to the 54 T.m crane (6T@9m) and the buoy-laying winch
• For salvage operations at sea, a towing hook (capacity 25 tonnes) is integrated in the aft deck. The ship is classified FIFI 1, two water cannons with a capacity of 2800m3/h at 130m, allow to reach ships in fire up to 50m away
• For hydrographic missions, SIRIUS includes Kongsberg EM2040 multibeam hull sonar and a single beam sounder, a towed sonar winch and a motion measurement unit

The displacement is about 650 tonnes and its maximum draught is 3.65m.

A polyvalent and highly operational ship

As SIRIUS operates for many of these missions, between 5 and 10kts, it was necessary to design a stable platform (for the buoy-laying operations) but also having excellent sea-keeping performances, necessary for the hydrographic operations, in particular at low speed. MAURIC took advantage of its experience of semi-swath vessels to use this proven concept (La Couronnée IV, Bibby Tethra and Bibby Athena) for the SIRIUS’s design. SIRIUS is also equipped with GYR 131 B-1 Gyro Stabilization System from Gyromarine, which allows reducing roll motions and increasing the operability of the vessel at all speeds by moderate to high sea states, especially during the launching of pilot boats or buoy-laying operations. 

Regarding the propulsion, given the operational profile, a hybrid propulsion (diesel-electric) has been selected. The SIRIUS shaft line is coupled to either a 1325kW ABC DZC 1000 diesel engine, allowing it to reach 13kts at full load, or an electric motor of 250kW, ensuring long periods at low speed (up to 8 knots) without fooling issues for the main diesel engine. The onboard energy and propulsion energy in electric mode are provided by two main gensets. This hybrid propulsion architecture, perfectly mastered by MAURIC, makes possible to adapt energy consumption to the right need over the entire operational vessel’s profile.

Living conditions onboard are comfortable with accommodations for a crew of 20 and can accommodate up to 10 additional pilots or hydrographers depending on the mission. This true "Swiss army knife" is a very dense vessel resulting from MAURIC's know-how in the fields of buoy-layers, pilot vessels, and hydrographic research vessels. In brief, Sirius is a “well-born ship”, which perfectly meets the requirements of DAB VLOOT seafarers.