DATV Floating Dutchman (Amfibus 020 Hybrid)

The Floating Dutchman, or Hybrid Amfibus type 020, is an amphibious touring coach developed by Dutch Amphibious Transport Vehicles (DATV) of Nijmegen and built with J. de Jong Scheepsservice. DATV developed two prototypes at the same time. The 010 was made for the rough water of Rotterdam harbour, and the 020 for the Amsterdam canals. The makers claimed it was the only hybrid amphibious touring coach in the world that met all European road and water regulations.

Design

The 020 is 14.02 m long, 2.55 m wide and only 3.22 m high, so it can pass under the canal bridges. It weighs 21,000 kg empty and draws 1.8 m afloat. On the road a Volvo diesel drives the rear wheels, with air suspension and an automatic limited-slip differential, and top speed is 80 km/h. In the water it runs silently on electric power from 190 lithium-ion batteries. A 50 kW Voith unit drives it, helped by a 10 kW bow thruster and a 7.5 kW stern thruster. Top speed afloat is a modest 3 knots (about 5.6 km/h).

The vehicle seats 50 people, including the driver and deckhand, in boat-style seating, and has a toilet. Options included air conditioning, an entertainment system and panoramic roof windows. Safety equipment includes watertight compartments, a roll-over-tested body cage, ABS, 50 lifejackets and five emergency exits. It was certified as a Class 3 city bus and approved by the Dutch marine authorities for the Amsterdam canal area.