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User:Wexcan/Drafts/HSS 1500

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HSS Stena Explorer at Dún Laoghaire
HSS Stena Explorer at Dún Laoghaire
Class overview
NameHSS 1500
BuildersFinnyards, Finland
Operatorslist error: <br /> list (help)
Stena Line
Albamar Shipping Company
BuiltJune 1994 - April 1997
In serviceApril 1996 - present
Completed3
Active3
General characteristics
TypeHigh-speed catamaran
Tonnage19,638 GT
Length126.6 m (415 ft 4 in)
Beam40.0 m (131 ft 3 in)
Draught4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
Installed powerlist error: <br /> list (help)
COGAG Turbines:
2x GE LM2500
2x GE LM1600
Propulsion4x Kamewa Type S Waterjets
Capacitylist 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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ "Stena Explorer". DNV Echange. Det Norske Veritas. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  2. ^ "Stena Explorer" (in Swedish). Fakta Om Fartyg. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  3. ^ a b c "Stena Explorer". Sealink-Holyhead. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  4. ^ "The story behind the building of the first Stena HSS". Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  5. ^ "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.