Whether out and about in far-flung locations such as the Cape Verde Isles, the Gulf of Cadiz, Cap Blanc off the west coast of Africa, or Galicia, or sailing closer to home in Warnemünde, the Poseidon, Germany's ocean research ship, has mtu engines that deliver exceptionally clean power. These drive its diesel-electric propulsion system, its gensets for on-board electricity and its laboratory equipment so that the scientists aboard can conduct their investigations around the globe. The vessel actually dates from 1976, and to keep it in line with modern environmental standards, the three mtu 12V Series 2000 M40A diesel engines from 2009 were replaced at the end of October by Reman engines from type 12V Series 2000 M41A. The major difference between the models: the mtu Reman engines meet current IMO Tier II emissions standards.
‘Poseidon’ underway with eleven scientists
The ‘Poseidon’, managed by the research vessel department of the Briese shipping company in Leer, is 60.80 m long and 11.40 m wide. Its new engines each deliver 575 kW, enabling the ship to reach speeds up to 12.5 knots. With an actual crew of 15 men and room for carrying up to 11 scientists, the vessel is owned by the state of Schleswig-Holstein and operated by the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel.
Repowering at Nobiskrug in Rendsburg
The research ship was laid up for general repairs at the Nobiskrug yard in Rendsburg at the end of October 2014 and within six weeks the yard’s team had replaced the engines and carried out further repairs and maintenance work. “It’s just this kind of repair that really demonstrates the enormous flexibility and customer-orientation of our shipyard group”, said Bernd Wittorf who directs repair business at Nobiskrug. Completely overhauled, the ‘Poseidon’ will start out on its next research voyage at the beginning of February – destination, the Canary Islands.
