Rijksrederij receives upgraded scientific research vessel, Tridens

Dutch governmental shipping company Rijksrederij has taken delivery of its scientific research vessel Tridens after a refit at Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam in the Netherlands.

The 73.5m-long and 14m-wide vessel completed a midlife conversion to enhance its multifunctional capabilities for fisheries research.

For the Tridens’ refit programme, Rijksrederij developed a high-tech engineering package in collaboration with Damen Research, Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam and GNE BV Hardinxveld-Giessendam.

Rijksrederij technical manager Dirk Kuijt said: "It was a very big project for us and we had a very tight schedule.

"Tridens is departing immediately for survey trials and will shortly represent the Netherlands in a four-week joint European survey, so we were all under a lot of pressure."

The vessel is operating under maritime research institute IMARES, in collaboration with other European fisheries institutes, to help determine fish stocks in the North Sea, among other duties.

At Damen’s facility, Tridens was equipped with an innovative drop keel with a broadband multibeam echosounder, installed by WNL Marine Electronics.

This new equipment will enable Tridens to accurately track biomass and fish shoals in the ocean, as well as conduct bathymetric surveys.

Damen has also installed Celtic Explorer along with a drop keel, which required almost a month of specialised engineering works.

In addition, the refit programme involved refurbishing crew cabins and overhauling the main engines, all propulsion equipment and steering apparatus.

Works also included the complete replacement of the stern gantry and winches, and maintenance of the stern mast, booms, A-frame and the corners of the stern of the vessel.

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Image: Dutch governmental shipping company Rijksrederij’s scientific research vessel, Tridens. Photo: courtesy of Damen Shipyards Group.