# Veecraft launches third Hotel Survey Motor boat SMB 3

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2021/02/veecraft-launches-third-hotel-survey-motor-boat-smb-3/
- Published: 2021-02-08T09:40:00+01:00
- Author: Patrick Kenyette

Veecraft marine, part of Paramount Group, has launched the third and final survey
motor boat for the South African Navy’s Project Hotel hydrographic survey vessel.

The survey motor boat (SMB 3) was launched in Cape Town on 29 January, it is part
of a 3-ship program meant to operate on the new hydrographic vessel.

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Veecraft as well as KD Marine Design, Southern Power, Volvo Penta, Humphree AB and
Unique Group collaborated in building the survey motor boats.

According to Veecraft during the vessel launch, the vessels will enhance the capabilities
and infrastructure of the South African Navy Hydrographic Office (SANHO) for many
years to come.

Veecraft is also working with prime contractor Sandock Austral Shipyards in building
the new hydrographic survey vessel to replace the SAS Protea.

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The first survey boat (SMB 1) was [launched on 25 August last year](https://www.military.africa/2021/02/veecraft-launches-third-hotel-survey-motor-boat-smb-3/military.africa/2020/08/paramount-maritime-and-veecraft-maritime-launches-the-first-south-africas-survey-motor-boats),
it undertook standard Harbour trials and Sea Acceptance testing before being delivered
to the South African Navy.

 military.africa/2020/08/paramount-maritime-and-veecraft-maritime-launches-the-first-
south-africas-survey-motor-boats

The second survey motor boat (SMB 2) was [launched](https://www.military.africa/2021/02/veecraft-launches-third-hotel-survey-motor-boat-smb-3/military.africa/2020/08/paramount-maritime-and-veecraft-maritime-launches-the-first-south-africas-survey-motor-boats)
in Capetown on 16 November 2020.

The survey boats were built as part of the upgrade of the South African Navy Hydrographic
Office (SANHO) facilities and capabilities, under Project Hotel.

 military.africa/2020/08/paramount-maritime-and-veecraft-maritime-launches-the-first-
south-africas-survey-motor-boats

Project Hotel comprises of three Survey Motor Boats and a Sea Boat. Apparently, 
construction of the hull of the sea boat is almost complete and will be delivered
on schedule.

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Sandock Austral Shipyards (SAS) provided specialised systems engineering and project
management. This class of vessels’ survey equipment includes multi and single beam
echo-sounders as well as side-scan sonar and a seabed sampler to recover material
from the seafloor and underlying sub-strata for detailed analytical and testing 
purposes.

These vessels can survey shallow waters in depths of up to 300 metres.

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