Marc Thiercelin's Imoca 60' Dcns launched
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After a height-month short building, the IMOCA 60' monohull DCNS Marc Thiercelin will sail for the Vendée Globe 2008, was launched in Vannes on May 31st. A wonderfull machine, refined in depth, perfectly designed for the French sailor for his 5th round-the-world race including his 4th solo.
Marc Thiercelin: "... I'd thought that if one day I had the opportunity to build a new boat, I'd call for Multiplast's expertise. I've known them for quite long and I've also followed their excellent results for their Jet Services or other Class America as Areva.Their prototypes for offshore races are like Rolls Royce. Moreover, DCNS was designed by the Groupe Finot,

Dcns-de-Marc-thiercelin-rejoint-l-element-liquide Le-double-roof-de-Dcns the most famous architects in the Vendée Globe. I've already done four boats with them...".
In fact, DCNS comes from the same mould as Generali and Brit Air, two other Imoca 60' already built by Multiplast, and that have just ended 2nd and 3rd in The Artemis Transat. Yann Penfornis, project manager for the construction of DCNS: "... Launch a third prototype was made easier by the fact that the carbon mould of the hull could still be used for a third time. The making of the hull skins is very similar. But concerning all the other components, paradoxically, there are few plans very much like the other two schemes. The most amazing difference remains the general setting out of the deck with two roofs and all the manoeuvres coming back in the centre. All the inner structures are also rather different...".
And thanks to a drastic follow up of the construction planning and technical partners, Multiplast, as usual, has been able to respect the delivery date without without putting aside the quality as well as the reliability. Finally, DCNS undertook the design of the keel blade made of special very high modulus steel used for submarines, soldering by electron beams system.

A unique collaboration

As it is the case with Thales, Airbus, or Thales Alenia Space, Multiplast has been submitted for several years, to the demands of a close collaboration with big industrial groups. Yves Picart, DCNS secondary surfaceship project manager, technical coordinator for the boat: "... far beyond the deep passion for the sea that we both share, Multiplast is a shipyard proving an extreme exactness as well as a great professionalism. We have a common culture and we share the same values, the love for the work properly done; we use a common language. We respect each other, so it's easier to work in good conditions...". Besides the keel blade, DCNS has also performed a permanent non-destructive ultrasonic control of the all carbon sandwich hull at every step of its building.

Technical and maritime validation
Once launched, DCNS will be on her way first to Port-La-Foret where the mast will be set up, then to Lorient and her base at DCNS. But Multiplast's work is not over yet. Gilles Ollier, manager of Multiplast: "... As for all the boats we make, once launched, we carry out the ground tests and we are on board for every sea trials until the final validation...". The latter expression is also part of Marc Thiercelin's vocabulary for he'll have to perform a validation offshore course of 2500 miles on DCNS before June 30, in order to be definitely eligible in The Vendée Globe.

Technical and maritime validation

Once launched, DCNS will be on her way first to Port-La-Foret where the mast will be set up, then to Lorient and her base at DCNS. But Multiplast's work is not over yet. Gilles Ollier, manager of Multiplast: "... As for all the boats we make, once launched, we carry out the ground tests and we are on board for every sea trials until the final validation...". The latter expression is also part of Marc Thiercelin's vocabulary for he'll have to perform a validation offshore course of 2500 miles on DCNS before June 30, in order to be definitely eligible in The Vendée Globe.