Water carriers Tirso and Ticino engaged in water supply

20 November 2015 17.00

The Italian Navy can count on two motor tanks water carriers: ITS Tirso, which gives the name to the class, and her sister ITS Ticino. They are designed to supply water to islands and coastal regions. ITS Tirso was launched in 1992, whilst ITS Ticino entered service in 1994; they were both built at the Naval Shipyards De Poli in Pellestrina, Venice.
Either unit can carry eight tanks of potable water, totaling 1,200,000 liters. They displace 2,027 tons, are 65 meters long, 10 meters wide and nearly 5 meters high. Each unit has 29 crewmembers, a 1,500 miles range and 12 knots top speed.
Their capabilities as water carriers have recently been tested during the water emergency in Messina. ITS Ticino has supplied the Messina aqueduct with 2,400,000 liters of water in two separate missions, one on 6 and 7 of November, and the second on 11 and 12 the same month.
The operation proved to be particularly challenging due to the difficulty of reaching the aqueduct tanks, positioned over 1 km from the branch pipe going to the port, and an 80 meters drop. To carry out the replenishment, it was necessary to use three electric spin pumps which were able to supply an average of 65,000 liters per hour.
During her operational life, ITS Ticino has carried out a large number of water replenishments in Durazzo, Sazen (Albania), and Giannutri, La Spezia, Naples, Augusta, Messina, Tremiti Islands (Italy), as well as participating in many national and international exercises. The ITN water carriers are regularly used at the Command School to train new officers during mooring maneuvers.

Emanuele Bianchi - agg. Claudia Spreafico -
Upd 20 November 2015 - COC

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