The Nigerian Navy took delivery of its first-ever purpose-built Hydrographic Research Vessel, NNS Lana (Offshore Survey Vessel 190 MKII) in Saint Nazaire, France. The ship was constructed by French shipyard OCEA. The new ship was conceived as a replacement to the previous NNS LANA, a survey ship that was decommissioned about 10 years ago. The new NNS LANA (A499) is designed and purposely built to enable the NN conduct hydrographic and oceanographic surveys. Survey services and charting waterways play a crucial role in ensuring safe navigation.
The construction of NNS Lana commenced in December 2019 and the project was divided into 4 major milestones which were: the completion of the deck molds, completion of hull blocks, hull assembly on the main deck and the delivery and installation of the main engines at the shipyard. The building process was successfully completed and the Ship was launched on 24 September 2020 at Les Sables d’Olonne, France.
The ship has a range of 4,400nm at 12k and can endure at sea for 20 days. The propulsion system of the Nigerian Navy’s hydrographic research vessel integrates two MTU engines, three CAT main generator sets, one emergency generator and other auxiliaries. The maximum speed of the NNS LANA hydrographic research vessel is 14k. It also includes an electric propulsion system, which is intended to minimise distortion of data caused by machinery noise. The electric propulsion system is operated at survey speed.
The NNS LANA survey vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art modern survey equipment to carry out coastal and deep-sea scientific research and studies. The vessel also carries laboratory hardware and software as well as equipment and systems for sampling, storage and analysis of water, fish and sediment.The on-board equipment includes a deep water multibeam echosounder, side scan sonar, single beam depth-water sounder and current meter. A well-equipped, 7.6m hydrographic surface boat is carried by the vessel to conduct data surveys along the coasts in small and very shallow waters.
