Post by ferryfast admin on Mar 18, 2008 11:59:11 GMT -5
Waterjets "first choice" for wind farm boats
Equipment & Technology - March 13, 2008
www.oilpubs.com/oso/article.asp?v1=7236
Ultra Dynamics says waterjets are first choice for wind farm craft.
Ultra Dynamics, manufacturer of the UltraJet range of waterjets, says waterjets are currently the first choice of propulsion for wind farm workboats, the reason being increased manoeuvrability and the ability to hold station while work is being carried out. A key requirement when servicing offshore wind farms, especially in very rough sea conditions.
Waterjets can also be serviced quickly and easily often without dry-docking the boat, which means less down time and cost savings to the end customer. An important issue when a vessel is operating in an area where there are no facilities to undertake extensive repair work.
Recent orders from South Boats Special Projects Ltd include 8 boat sets comprising of twin UltraJet 451 waterjets complete with flybridge Joystick control and display to propel a series of 15.43m (50.6ft) Alloy Wind Farm Service Vessels designed for crew transfer and logistical support at various wind farms in the UK and Europe.
The first of these vessels due for launch in February has Twin Scania DI 12M EMS 591 bhp (441kW) diesel engines @ 2,100rpm coupled to ZF360 transmissions with a 1.237:1 reduction ratio driving twin UltraJet 451 waterjets.
Following on from these vessels, a further three boat sets for twin UltraJet 575 waterjets with Joystick controls are also on order to propel a series of larger and more powerful 20.4m (66.9ft) Alloy Wind Farm Vessels which will match MAN D2842 LE410 EDC diesel engines rated at 1100 bhp (809kW) @ 2,100rpm via Twin Disc MGX5147SC transmissions with a 1.48:1 reduction ratio.
The South Boats hull combines a number of advantages: fine initial entry in the forward sections rapidly becoming bluff and buoyant to give high reserves of buoyancy to maximise rough weather sea keeping as well as loitering and minimising pitching movement. A chine shaped aft gives stability in following seas. To prolong the vessels service life the aluminium structure and shell are constructed to a very high safety factor to withstand pressures exerted on a vessel of this type.
Standard design principles include symmetrical under water sections and asymmetrical wet deck knuckles and spray deflectors. The hull also maintains a parallel waterline beam through the length of the vessel to allow good weight distribution around the vessel.
The seakeeping capabilities of their catamarans have been proven in service when transferring engineers to wind farm turbines in conditions in excess of 2.5m significant wave height.
The UltraJet JetMaster Joystick control system fitted offers unparalleled manoeuvring power. The specially developed digital Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) network converts the joystick commands to boat movements, harnessing the full benefits of the UltraJets.
This intuitive system offers many features previously only available on more expensive systems such as electronic steering synchronisation for catamarans, vessel steering by use of proportional interceptors, combination lever and joystick control, auto-steer (Autopilot) interface, steering and reverse position indicators and helm-mounted display for set-up and diagnostics. It also incorporates a complete secondary back-up control system.
Equipment & Technology - March 13, 2008
www.oilpubs.com/oso/article.asp?v1=7236
Ultra Dynamics says waterjets are first choice for wind farm craft.
Ultra Dynamics, manufacturer of the UltraJet range of waterjets, says waterjets are currently the first choice of propulsion for wind farm workboats, the reason being increased manoeuvrability and the ability to hold station while work is being carried out. A key requirement when servicing offshore wind farms, especially in very rough sea conditions.
Waterjets can also be serviced quickly and easily often without dry-docking the boat, which means less down time and cost savings to the end customer. An important issue when a vessel is operating in an area where there are no facilities to undertake extensive repair work.
Recent orders from South Boats Special Projects Ltd include 8 boat sets comprising of twin UltraJet 451 waterjets complete with flybridge Joystick control and display to propel a series of 15.43m (50.6ft) Alloy Wind Farm Service Vessels designed for crew transfer and logistical support at various wind farms in the UK and Europe.
The first of these vessels due for launch in February has Twin Scania DI 12M EMS 591 bhp (441kW) diesel engines @ 2,100rpm coupled to ZF360 transmissions with a 1.237:1 reduction ratio driving twin UltraJet 451 waterjets.
Following on from these vessels, a further three boat sets for twin UltraJet 575 waterjets with Joystick controls are also on order to propel a series of larger and more powerful 20.4m (66.9ft) Alloy Wind Farm Vessels which will match MAN D2842 LE410 EDC diesel engines rated at 1100 bhp (809kW) @ 2,100rpm via Twin Disc MGX5147SC transmissions with a 1.48:1 reduction ratio.
The South Boats hull combines a number of advantages: fine initial entry in the forward sections rapidly becoming bluff and buoyant to give high reserves of buoyancy to maximise rough weather sea keeping as well as loitering and minimising pitching movement. A chine shaped aft gives stability in following seas. To prolong the vessels service life the aluminium structure and shell are constructed to a very high safety factor to withstand pressures exerted on a vessel of this type.
Standard design principles include symmetrical under water sections and asymmetrical wet deck knuckles and spray deflectors. The hull also maintains a parallel waterline beam through the length of the vessel to allow good weight distribution around the vessel.
The seakeeping capabilities of their catamarans have been proven in service when transferring engineers to wind farm turbines in conditions in excess of 2.5m significant wave height.
The UltraJet JetMaster Joystick control system fitted offers unparalleled manoeuvring power. The specially developed digital Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) network converts the joystick commands to boat movements, harnessing the full benefits of the UltraJets.
This intuitive system offers many features previously only available on more expensive systems such as electronic steering synchronisation for catamarans, vessel steering by use of proportional interceptors, combination lever and joystick control, auto-steer (Autopilot) interface, steering and reverse position indicators and helm-mounted display for set-up and diagnostics. It also incorporates a complete secondary back-up control system.