Dockwise Yacht Transport
DYT Sets Ocean Monitoring Pact with International SeaKeepers Society
Dockwise Yacht Transport joins forces with the International SeaKeepers Society to better monitor the health of our oceans
Dockwise Yacht Transport (DYT) is unique in the world of marine transportation. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, DYT operates the world's only fleet of float-on and float-off cargo carrying vessels and has been in operation since 1987. One recent Dockwise project was the transportation of the SBX floating x-band radar platform from Honolulu, Hawaii to Adak, Alaska in the Aleutian Islands. A key component of their business is the repositioning of luxury yachts located throughout the world.
DYT has recently commissioned a new super duty ship named Yacht Express, some 209 meters long, the ship can carry 5,000 metric tons of cargo at a surprising speed of 18 knots. Crossing the globe on a regular basis makes the new ship a prime candidate for the ocean water quality monitoring program initiated by the International SeaKeepers Society.
SeaKeepers Society International has influenced marine protection and restoration efforts with its growing base of industry support organizations with their governmental, academic, and industry backgrounds. Research endorsements have come from the likes of the United Nations, World Meteorological Organization, Scripps Institute, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service. The stated mission of the group is to be, "An organization of international leaders who promote synergy among citizens, governments, educational institutions and corporations to restore and protect the world’s oceans."
Monitoring equipment developed in concert with University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) will be installed on the Yacht Express that measures salinity, clarity, temperature and oxygen content of the water. The SeaKeepers Society installs the same gear on member yachts, cruise ships and other vessels of opportunity. Data collected by the Yacht Express is part of a greater network of monitoring sites known as SeaKeeper 100TM Ocean and Meteorlgical Monioring System. It is transmitted by satellite and available to researchers globally on real time basis. Field data is also used to verify the accuracy and reliability of that collected by satellites systems.
SeaKeepers list some of the benefits of improved oceanic monitoring as follows:
- More timely and accurate weather forecasts
- Improved climate change monitoring and detection. Example issues include El Nino events and global warming
- Tracking of pollution plumes
- Enhanced global fisheries management
- Early detection and warning of toxic algae blooms (red tides)
- Provides for a comprehensive assessment of ocean health
DYT President and CEO Clemens van der Werf says, "The ship's regular routes will enable us to provide consistent, ongoing readings of ocean conditions over time, which will offer better analysis opportunities compared to private yachts that are only in certain regions on different occasions." The SeaKeepers Society was established by a group of yacht owners in July of 1998 to monitor the air/sea interface and DYT's contribution to the research effort reflects the environmental concerns of its customers.
This joint effort between the International SeaKeepers Society and Dockwise Yacht Transport demonstrates the benefits that derive from cooperation within the marine industry. Ocean data collection can improve the monitoring of environmental conditions, but provides an avenue for early detection of hazardous marine conditions. Ocean monitoring in conjunction with efforts to reduce marine plastic pollution can result in positive changes for maritime ecology.
Principal characteristics of Yacht Express
Length overall: 209.00 m / 685.7 ft
Width overall: 32.20 m / 105.64 ft
Depth: 8.50 m / 27.89 ft
Draft: 5.80 m / 19.03 ft
Draft submerged: 14.00 m / 72.18 ft
Deck length: 165.00 m / 541.34 ft
Deck width: 31.00 m / 101.71 ft
Weight: 15,000 t
Service speed: 18 knots
