South Africa: Electrowave Wins Upgrade Contract for Hydrographic Vessel SAS Protea

Cape company Electrowave (Pty) Ltd has been awarded a R6.1 million contract to supply, fit and commission two diesel driven generator sets on-board the South African Navy’s now-aged Hecla-class hydrographic vessel SAS Protea.

The R6 135 622.34 deal was awarded last week. The Protea was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd in Britain, launched in July 1971 and commissioned on May 23, 1972. The 79.3m-long, 2733mt displacement ship is equipped for hydrographic survey and the collection of oceanographic data. She carries a Polaris survey system and two survey launches. Her hull is strengthened for navigation in ice. She is also fitted with a passive roll stabilisation system. New engines were installed during a major refit during 1995-96.

In August 2009 the Protea gained a new R38.7 million shallow water route survey system. Defence minister Lindiwe Sisulu said in her budget vote last year the system’s first task would be helping to secure the 2010 soccer World Cup. “To support SA’s hosting of the … World Cup, a Shallow Water Route Survey capability for the SA Navy was procured and established as a short term solution to a perceived shortfall in the Soccer World Cup 2010 security-planning milieu,” Sisulu told Parliament in her second annual defence budget vote address. “The new system will be used to conduct route surveys in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town harbours and contribute towards underwater security in the respective ports. The system uses new Multi Beam Echo Sounder technology which will provide a full seafloor search of the seabed and provides accurate and precise data during a Shallow Water Route Survey for the provision of safe navigation and underwater security,” Sisulu added.

The R37 225 653 contract for an Edge Tech 4200 side scan sonar system and a SB 424 towfish was awarded to Underwater Surveys (Pty) Ltd. Two follow-on contracts were awarded in May and December last year, taking the total contract value to R41 035 440.51.

Supply, fit and commissioning of two diesel driven generator sets on-board SAS Protea

EMTM/2010/390 28 Jul 2011 R6 135 622,34 Electrowave (Pty) Ltd

Supply, delivery and support of shallow water route survey systems – extension of EMTM/2009/19

MTM/S2010/1607 22 Dec 2010 R2 324 556,51 Underwater Surveys (Pty) Ltd

MTM/S2009/19 13 May 2010 R1 485 231,00 Underwater Surveys (Pty) Ltd

Supply of a shallow water route survey system for the SAS Protea

EMTM/2009/19 5 Aug 2009 R37 225 653,00 Underwater Surveys (Pty) Ltd

(defenceweb)

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Source: defenceweb, August 4, 2011; Image:navy