The PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) MV Tai Shan is the second vessel in a series of three built by Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Japan and she was delivered in December 1986. The vessel is specially suited for cars and trucks but she has also flexibility to carry project cargo. MV Tai Shan has a total capacity of 5930 cars (RT43) or 552 trucks and a basic complement of 21 persons. Her sisterships are MV Tancred and MV Takara. The ship is built to the class of DNV (Det Norske Veritas) with the following designations DNV +1A1, Car Carrier MCDK, PET EO.
Deck and Ramp System:
Heavy units are loaded on the strengthened deck 5, 9 and 11, which can carry loads of 1 ton/m and deck no. 7 which are able to carry loads of 2 tons/m. The other decks are designed for car stowage and allow loads from 0.18 ton/m^2 to 0.4 ton/m. For increased flexibility deck no. 4, 8, 10 and 6 are divided into hoistable sections.
The vessel is fitted with two loading and discharging ramps, one stern quarter ramp and one midship ramp. The stern ramp has a width of 7 m and is arranged with a 40-degree angle from centre line to enable loading/discharging of long vehicles. Maximum capacity of the ramp is 100 tons and the maximum axle load is 25 tons. The midship ramp is arranged with a 90-degree angle from the centre line and a ramp width of 5 m. The maximum capacity is 16 tons and 10 tons axle load. Deck 7 is
the entrance deck for both ramps. This arrangement with one stern quarter ramp and one midship ramp ensures good flexibility in loading and discharging operation.
Anchoring/Winches:
The deck machinery consists of four mooring winches located at the forecastle and aft mooring deck. All winches are of type electro-hydraulic 2x15tx15m/min. with two hawser drums and one warping drum. In addition there are two sets of electrohydraulic anchor winches located at the forecastle deck, one port and one starboard, delivered by Nippon Pusnes Co. Ltd. There is one 4 tons electrical and air driven crane located at upper deck by the accommodation on the starboard side used
for bringing onboard provision and spare parts. Also, one 0.5 ton pneumatic crane is located on upper deck at the port side.
Cargo ventilation:
Fans evenly distributed throughout the vessel on upper deck create good ventilation during loading/discharging. All cargo holds can be ventilated with over 20 air changes an hour.
Machinery:
The vessel is equipped with propulsion machinery type Sulzer 7RTA58 with an output of 8750 kW at 110 rpm. The engine is directly reversible and attached to an aerofoil 5 blade fixed propeller with diameter 5.8 meter and fitted with remote control both from the bridge and control room. Also, for increased manuvering abilities one CPP bow thruster with effect 1170 kW is installed. The vessel is equipped with a semi balanced
stream lined double plated rudder to assist in controlling the lateral movements of the stern. For electrical power supply there are three Brushless AC generators with an output of 580 kW each. To ensure sufficient power in emergency situations one GH5678 Brushless AC diesel generator is installed.
The navigational system:
1. GPS – Leica – 2 Units
2. Radar – JRC 3 cm Type: RAAS4MN9-25KPON-14 JMA9252-6CA
3. Radar – JRC 10 cm Type:RAAS4MN3-30KPON-3 JMA9303-CA
4. Electronic chart: ECDIS900
5. CHARTCO SYSTEM : OCEANSTAR Version 1.7.1a
6. Course recorder: TOKYO KEIKI- TYPE CR-1
7. Auto pilot: TOKYO KEIKI -APR 4000
8. Gyro compass: TOKYO KEIKI TG-5000
9. Echo sounder: FURUNO F-851T
10. Speed log: YEW
11. Weather fax: JAX-29
12. NAVTEX: ICS
13. Barometer: YANAGI-ANEROID BAROMTER
14. Barograph: SATO KEIRYOKI
15. Offcourse recorder: GELLIE SESTREL-GS520
16. Dead mans alarm system: AUTRONICA-BRIDGE SAFETY SYSTEM
Communication
1. VHF-JRC NCE 2211 (2 PCS)
2. VHF-ICOM IC-M56
3. VHF–Sailor compact VHF RT2047/D (2 PCS)
4. VHF DSC: Sailor RM2042 (2 PCS)
5. GMDSS VHF'S-Navico (3 PCS)
6. MF/HF DSC: SKANTI-DSC9006
7. MF/HF Transreceiver: SKANTI TRP9500
8. INMARSAT-C: SKANTI TT3020
9. INMARSAT-B JRC JUE 310 B
10. RADIO TELEX: SKANTI-SCANCOM
11. Communications FAX: OKIFAX 4100 (INMAR-B)
12. SART: McMurdo RT9 (2 pcs)
Interior:
All cabins are located on upper deck and the vessel is equipped with gym and separate TV-room for officers and crew to provide for the possibility of relaxing activities. Pilot cabin is placed on bridge deck, canal transit cabin and spare cabin on the upper deck for easy access to the bridge.
Security arrangements:
For fire fighting, the ship is fitted with both a 33 cubic meter permanent installed CO2 fire extinguishing system and a number of portable CO2 and foam fire extinguishers. The vessel has 2 open type life boats with capacity of 30 persons each located both on the port and the starboard side of the vessel. In addition there are two life rafts with a total carrying
capacity of 31 persons and one with carrying capacity of 6 persons. The vessel has for each person onboard one Immersion suit of type EPIRB, one life jacket, MOB markers and a number of life buoys.