Propulsion and hull package nets savings for HHA
Harwich Haven’s new pilot boat is predicted to save £48,500 in fuel costs per year.
This summer has seen the launch of Holyhead Marine’s first ever pilot boat, which the North Wales based yard has built for Harwich Haven Authority (HHA).
The 16m craft is predicted to provide substantial fuel savings for HHA due to efficiency in the propeller and stern gear working in combination with an advanced hull design.
Bevan Thomas, technical consultant for Harwich Haven Authority, discussed the impact the propulsion system from CJR Propulsion Ltd had on efficiency. ‘Based upon 2,500 hours of operation per year, HHA are expecting to make an annual saving on fuel of £48,500,’ he said. An additional improvement is expected to be reduced strain on the engine and gearbox.
Nick Colin York, Holyhead’s managing director, said the propulsion system has made a big difference, increasing the required performance by almost four knots. This in turn ‘allowed the maximum revs to be limited, improving fuel economy and giving a greater engine life whilst still achieving the desired speed’.
Designed by Camarc Ltd, the 16m vessel is an important newbuild for Holyhead Marine, representing the yard’s first foray into the highly competitive pilot boat market. The advanced double chine hull design combined with CJR’s propulsion system has resulted in improved manoeuvrability, both at slow speed for harbour operation and at service speeds for pilot boarding operations.
The propeller and sterngear for the project have both been manufactured through a number of automated processes, which, says Mr Russell, give precision accuracy. ‘Our methods ensure that the geometry of our finished castings perfectly replicate the design of the 3D models.’
‘This is due to using the latest computer technology which automates much of the design, manufacture and finishing processes. Consequently, there’s little need for extensive finishing, this not only saves valuable time but also significantly reduces design and production costs, allowing us to pass on savings on to our customers. Additionally, all propellers are comprehensively tested for geometry, skew, rake and pitch using our own scanning system’.
Ironically, CJR has been heavily involved in the workboat market for several decades but puts some of it’s ‘competitive edge’ to its recent involvement with leisure based craft and superyachts.
CJR managing director Mark Russell explained that working with superyacht builders requires particular attention to detail. He doesn’t quite go as far as calling them ‘pernickity’ but says, ‘Delivering anything which doesn’t meet the correct standards would quickly ruin the reputation we have worked hard to create. We are now able to transfer our extensive experience and quality practices to the workboat market’. He added that the company is seeing a great deal of interest from those who recognise that the key attributes are effectively identical across both markets.
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