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Diesel Electric Drives Precise DP Boats
01 Oct 2004
The first two of ten innovative platform supply vessels have gone to work in the Gulf of Mexico, deploying diesel electric propulsion systems which provide superior performance in the dynamic positioning (DP) mode and maximise design efficiency by eliminating the need for long shafts and reduction gears.
Rigdon Marine announced the ambitious build programme for 10 of the 64m boats from Bender Shipyards at the 2002 Workboat Show in New Orleans.
Orleans and Bourbon have now entered service with a third, Royal due shortly and seven more to follow.
The heart of the propulsion system for each of the new DP capable boats is a pair of Cummins Marine QSK60-D(M) marine generators. The 16 cylinder four stroke engines each develop 2,548bhp at 1,800rpm, which in turn produces 1,825kWe at 60Hz. The generators power electrical motors which turn a pair of Steerprop SP-18T 360º azimuthing drives with open 2,300m/m propellers. The responsiveness of the diesel electric drives enables the propulsion system to more readily meet the demands of the vessels' Level 2 DP system.
Additional electrical power is provided by a Cummins KTA38-D(M) powered 900kW genset.
There is provision on each vessel for 1,200 metric tonnes of deck cargo carried on a 41.8m by 13.7m open aft deck. The deck is strengthened for up to five tonnes per m3. The vessels will accommodate 22 people, with an operational speed of 13.9 knots loaded at a 4.9m loadline.
MJ Information No: 19917
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