Schottel to deliver power units for new Coast Guard vessels

New WCC cutters (Photo: Schottel/Birdon)

Schottel has been selected by Birdon America for supply of components for 27 vessels which will ultimately be delivered to the US Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) program.

The program includes design and construction of 16 River Buoy tenders and 11 Inland Construction tenders. The vessels will be built at Birdon’s new Bayou La Batre shipyard in Alabama.

About four ships are expected to be delivered each year over the next eight years, as the new models replace aging vessels. The current fleet has an average age of 57 years.

Schottel prop systems for WCC program (Photo: Schottel)

The cutters will feature engines producing about 597 kW (800 hp) and use propellers with a diameter of 1.3 meters. Maximum speed will be about 11 knots.

Thrusters are fitted with a SDC40 nozzle which are protected with a hydrodynamic grille to reduce damage in the event of an impact with debris. There are also DuroVario-S slipping clutches to deliver improved handling and allow the vessels to operate in both deep and shallow water.

The driveshaft will further feature the LeaCon sealing system. Certified by the DNV, this uses an intermediate chamber design and multiple seals to separate lubricants from the water. A monitoring system is fitted to continuously check the condition of the seals.

First delivery of the WCCs is expected to take place over 2027.