Rendering of the 2TDB-7000 – Vestdavit’s most sophisticated dual-point davit system to date
Vestdavit Inc., the U.S. operation set up by Bergen, Norway, based davit supplier Vestdavit, has won a contract to deliver boat launch-and-recovery systems to two U.S. Navy Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessels currently under construction by Austal USA.
Vestdavit will supply a 2TDB-7000 davit system to each of EPF 13 and EPF 14, the latest vessels to be commissioned as part of the US Navy’s EPF program. With EPF 13 due for delivery in late 2021, both ships will be deployed in the high-speed, intra-theatre transport of personnel and supplies as well as military vehicles and equipment.
“When they join the US Navy’s EPF fleet, these two vessels will be facing unpredictable and potentially very challenging conditions,” states Vestdavit Managing Director Rolf Andreas Wigand. “Because of this, they require flexible, high-performance marine davits that can keep up with their fast-paced and dynamic operations. As our most sophisticated dual-point system yet, the 2TDB-7000 meets all of these criteria and more.”
Wigand says that the hydraulically operated 2TDB-7000 davit will enable the safe launch and recovery of 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boats in conditions up to sea state 6 and at 10 knots. The system is specifically designed for flexibility, he says, and features a painter boom, a wire hauler, shock absorbers and dual independent winches with constant-tension that are controlled by PLC. It is made of robust steel, with an aluminum foundation frame minimizing overall weight.
Vestdavit’s selection to provide boat-handling systems for EPFs 13 and 14 reaffirms its standing as a preferred davit supplier to international navies and coast guards, signing agreements with the U.K. Royal Navy, the French Navy and the Royal Australian Navy this year.
The company has a long-standing association with Austal and has provided Austal Australia with over 60 davit systems for deployment on a variety of ships.
“2020 is proving to be a big year for investments in security and defense forces around the world, and we are honored to have been chosen to supply the US Navy’s forthcoming Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels,” says Magnus Oding, General Manager, Vestdavit Inc. “Our credentials and portfolio are speaking for themselves but we would also like to acknowledge our continuing exceptionally good relationship with the world’s largest navy, as well as the insights offered by Austal in serving its needs on this occasion in particular.”
