PT PAL Indonesia new built LPD passed its acceptance test
After being launched by the Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) on August 15, 2022, the Hospital Ship dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat-992 is entering the stage of testing its ability to sail at sea. This test is also often referred to as the Sea Acceptance Test (SAT), in which all main equipment and systems and supporting elements are tested optimally to determine the ship's main capabilities.
Met on one occasion, Mr. Iqbal Fikri as the Chief Operating Officer said "The procurement of this hospital ship is of course a manifestation of the Government's commitment as well as a proactive step in responding to Indonesia's geographical conditions which are in the ring of fire so that potential disasters are possible to occur in our midst" said Mr. Iqbal Fikri.
The SAT which lasts for 4 days, from 16 December 2022 to 19 December 2022 will be held in the waters of the Java Sea. A total of approximately 490 joint personnel from the PT PAL Indonesia Team, the BRS Shipbuilding DN Yekda Task Force, the Classification Bureau (LR), the Materials Worthiness Team and the Function Test Monitoring of the Indonesian Navy Headquarters to prospective ship crews participated in the SAT agenda.
The SAT series begins with the Compass Adjustment process, Ship Condition (Water Ballast setting), Main Engine and Propulsion System performance adjustment settings and Bow Thruster. Then carried out progressive speed testing and Endurance Test and Bow Thruster Test. This was followed by testing the ship's maneuvering capabilities, such as the Turning Circle test, Z-Manouvering test, Williamson turn test, Reverse test, Stoping test and Crash Stop Astern test. The Anchoring test was carried out at a seawater depth of +/- 80 meters. As well as the Noise & Vibration test carried out in parallel during the Endurance test. The importance of this series of tests is to ensure the ship's performance meets the specifications according to the design plan / contract.
Despite the challenges arising due to the Covid-19 pandemic, COO PAL believes that "Planning and execution accuracy as well as mitigations that we might realize, we continue to push for acceleration so that it doesn't have too much impact on the production process. As the main command, we continue to orchestrate the entire production team massively and inclusively starting from the management level of Division Heads, Project Managers, Coordinators to activity executors, so that targets can be achieved on time and with proper quality. Because PT PAL as the largest shipping industry in Indonesia must be able to become a pioneer in the development of modern and high-tech defense equipment.
SAT hospital ship dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat-992 has met the parameters of success, one of which is achieving a maximum speed during full load conditions, namely an average of 18.3 knots (gps), exceeding the target given, namely 18 knots, and even reached a speed of 19.7 knots. The optimal results obtained from the various tests in this SAT are an important step towards the completion and handover process of the hospital ship, to the Indonesian Navy. The SAT agenda was closed with the implementation of the Heli Landing Test (part of the Heli Deck Party), namely testing of Helicopter Landing Facilities & Equipment on a ship capable of carrying 3 helicopters (2 helicopters in the helideck and 1 helicopter in the hangar) with a ground strength capacity of 11 tons MTOW ( maximum take off weight).
"The seriousness of all PAL personnel together with the Government and the Indonesian Navy in building this hospital ship is a concrete manifestation of the fulfillment of domestic defense equipment. Not only able to build, but PT PAL is also able to become an integrated MRO service provider so that all Marine Defense Forces are always in prime condition when carrying out their missions and operational functions, said the COO of PT PAL Indonesia.