Hart Fenton Specialist Capability

High Speed Craft (HSC)

Hart Fenton have extensive experience of HSC over many years. This experience covers design, construction and operational aspects including the construction of aluminum vessels of differing types and build methods, for example monohulls, catamarans and hovercraft. Specialist expertise of hydrofoils can be provided. Project experience includes the construction supervision of vessels ranging in size from 30 metres to 100 metres, project feasibility and technical feasibility studies of routes and vessels. Numerous condition surveys of different types and sizes of high speed craft have been carried out.

For example, projects have investigated the operation of large car and passenger HSC on the River Plate and advised on the subsequent introduction into service of vessels, technical assessment and construction supervision of 30 metre passenger HSC for river operations and the construction supervision of in excess of  US$300 million of large car and passenger HSC ferries. Berth design and loading/unloading arrangements have been investigated with a view to ensuring safe and rapid turn around of vessels. 

Specialist Vessels

Hart Fenton oversaw the construction of an 80 metre Aids to Navigation support vessel for the Commissioners of Irish Lights. The vessel has been designed as a dynamically positioned vessel with diesel electric machinery driving azimuthing propulsors and thrusters. The Owner's specification requires that the vessel be able to increase its operational sea state profile with increased levels of safety for the crew and equipment.   

The company was also responsible for the design development and construction supervision of an optic fibre cable laying vessel for the then British Telecom Marine. Specific operational requirements were specified covering acceleration levels at the cable sheaves. The vessel was also designed to be able to lay long lengths of cable.

River Barges.

Hart Fenton has performed a number of studies of river barges and the application of river barge trains for transporting containers and bulk cargoes including iron ore, iron pellets and coal. The studies identified barge sizes and other utilisation issues. Other studies have included investigations of shallow draft ocean going vessels to operate up the Rhine River.

Investigations have been performed for projects on the Rhine, Orinoco, Mississippi, Irrawaddy and Nile Rivers where hydrographic data, assessment of trade, assessment of physical limitations and the fitness for purpose of existing vessels to operate have been considered. One project considered the means of transhipping bulk cargo from 1500 DWT barges to 4500 DWT self unloading bulk carriers whilst another investigated transhipping ore from barges into bulk carriers which ranged in size from 20,000 DWT to 150,000 DWT.

The company has designed and overseen the construction of a number of  estuarial car and passenger ferries and carried out a number of feasibility studies for these types of vessels.