Thunder Child is an ‘XSV 17’ designed and built by Safehaven Marine. The design is a 17m very high speed, wavepiercing, low Interceptor, designed for Naval, law enforcement and offshore patrol applications, as well as being capable of high speed S.A.R. operations being self-righting and offering fast emergency response times. Its design brings even greater capabilities incorporating greater speed, greater range, higher crew capacity and an even lower RCS.
The vessel is constructed from advanced lightweight FRP cored composites. XSV has an innovative and unique hull form that allows it to operate in two distinct modes, fully planing and wavepiercing.
Thunder Child
The hull design hull design combines a constant deadrise deep V hull form incorporating twin chines capable of 60kts with a wavepiercing bow form. A 24 degree deadrise at the transom transitions to a wave piercing bow, with a super fine wave cutting waterline entry designed to run clear of the water at very high speeds, but which can be bought into dramatic effect with adjustable trim control to very effectively minimizes vertical accelerations at speed in waves, thereby maximizing crew endurance.
The hull provides exceptionally high levels of seakeeping abilities on all courses with its twin chine arrangements providing for high levels of both static and dynamic stability. The design is fully self-righting, capable of recovering after capsize by a large breaking sea and is survivable up to sea state 8, capable of operating effectively in up to sea state 6, and maintain operational speed in sea state 3-4. A unique feature is the bow buoyancy control fins used to increase buoyancy in following seas preventing excessive submersion, the fins are adjustable for wave height and craft speed.
Thunder Child
Thunder Child is powered by a pair of Caterpillar C12.9 turbocharged, supercharged and intercooler diesel engines producing 1,000hp each. Propulsion is by Surface drives manufactured by Metamarine in Italy. XSV 17 is capable of a maximum speed of 54kts.
A crew of 10 can be comfortably seated, 6 on high tech AMP Wave breaker shock mitigation seats and 4 on fixed seats in her main cabin, a separate heads and sleeping compartment in her f/wd cabin.
Thunder Child is fitted with long range fuel tanks of 5,000+L allowing a range of over 750NM.
