In pursuit of the ‘perfect prop’
Alnmaritec’s new 19m patrol boat, which was contracted to reach 36 knots, managed 37.6 knots in sea trials last month.
This month sees the launch of Alnmaritec’s latest pilot boat, fitted with a complete propeller and sterngear package from CJR Propulsion.
The 16m pilot boat, designed by Camarc exclusively for Alnmaritec, called for a range of specific requirements. These combined excellent seakeeping and manoeuvrability, both at slow speed for harbour operation and at service speeds for pilot boarding operation. The vessel also features an advanced double chine, planing monohull, as well as CJR’s advanced propulsion and sterngear system to provide fast and efficient running across the speed envelope.
Commenting on recent sea trials of both the 16m and a 19m patrol boat, Alnmaritec project manager David Clews said, “We completed initial sea trials of the first two CJR equipped boats last week and we’re delighted with the results. We went into the day obviously looking to surpass the required contracted speed, but in reality we were able to comfortably exceed it in both cases, and that was in a heavy sea and before adjustments have been made to their trim. Both the pilot and patrol boats performed well in trials, with the new pilot boat reaching 27.7 knots, which was nearly three knots faster than expected. The 19 metre patrol boat, which was contracted to reach 36 knots, managed 37.6 and I think there is still more to come with the final setup. In my opinion, CJR is responsible for a significant proportion of that increase.”
CJR’s managing director Mark Russell added, “We came to Seawork last year, talking about how our experience across a range of markets meant we were well placed to deliver performance products to the work boat industry but today our message is a far simpler one. The performance increases we are achieving in this market clearly shows we are doing things differently to our competitors and the right manufacturers are already taking notice. The results from last week’s sea trials perfectly demonstrate that performance gains and efficiency savings can be made, simply by selecting the right propulsion partner.”
The structure of Alnmaritec’s pilot boat is designed and built to drawings in line with the MCA small workboat code rules. The propeller and sterngear have both been manufactured using the latest five axis CNC machinery for precision accuracy and noise and vibration reduction, with finishing conducted by CJR’s latest robotic tools.
“At CJR, our manufacturing and procedural systems ensure that the geometry of our finished castings perfectly replicate the design of the 3D models, as well as complying with all relevant standards. This is the first step to a perfect prop”, Russell concluded.
By using the latest technology to automate much of the design, manufacture and finishing processes, CJR is able to offer repeatable performance, with little need for extensive finishing. This saves valuable time but also significantly reduces design and production costs.
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