Based on the principals of the thrust from a gas turbine jet engine which powers the vertical take-off Harrier Jump Jet, the Kort Vector Thruster has been developed to provide an effective propulsion device which can be fitted at the bow or stern of a vessel.

At the stern, the Vector Thruster can be used as main propulsion or as a stern thruster. At the bow, the unit can be used for auxiliary propulsion to provide ahead or astern thrust or as a side thruster by rotating the outlet nozzles of the unit.

The impeller is located on the vessel centreline and draws water from the underside of the vessel via a pump unit along a single tube to a valve arrangement. The valve diverts water flow into two separate tubes to port or starboard. Each outlet has steerable nozzles to provide directional thrust.

The full Vector Thruster system consists of a stern unit for propulsion and manoeuvrability and a bow unit which can deliver reverse thrust, auxiliary propulsion and tunnel thruster functions.

The system can be used effectively on vessels with moderate free running speed requirements and is of particular advantage for slow speed manoeuvrability.

On larger vessels a Vector Thruster at the bow can replace a conventional tunnel thruster and provide auxiliary propulsion should main engine failure occur. The unit can also be used in addition to min engine power to provide increased acceleration to cruising speed, which would be an advantage to Ro-Ro ferries, where docking and service times are critical.