JETanchor
New Zealand-headquartered waterjet manufacturer HamiltonJet has recently launched its latest vessel positioning system called JETanchor. The JETanchor system has been developed and extensively tested over the past 18 months, in response says Hamilton to strong market demand for small vessel positioning systems.
Developed from the blueARROW controls platform JETanchor is the newest addition to the HamiltonJet controls’ product range. Aimed predominantly at Pilot boats, Fireboats, SAR, Patrol, Survey, DSV and small Offshore Crewboats, the JETanchor system provides a cost effective ‘dynamic-positioning-type’ system for smaller vessels.
HamiltonJet Global Marketing Manager Albear Montocchio says “the product has undergone rigorous and extensive testing on two commercial vessels, an offshore crew-transfer vessel and a coastal survey vessel. This comprehensive process has enabled our designers to apply what they have learned: doing what we do best, we’ve innovated and refined the JETanchor making it easier to both manufacture and service in the field.”
“Through the development of the JETanchor we have been able to advance several market leading features of our waterjet control system, which now incorporates these advantages. This exciting product launch is one of many to come in the next three to four years as HamiltonJet has invested heavily in R&D programmes.”
One feature of the new system is a new anchoring system using GPS location. It is essentially a virtual anchor mode, which allows the vessel to weathervane off a fixed GPS point under prevailing wind and sea conditions. As a result the operator enjoys a hands-free vessel positioning with comfortable vessel motion and at low engine rpm minimizing fuel usage.
Another smart design feature is a station keeping mode, which allows the vessel to automatically hold a GPS position and heading more accurately than can be done manually, allowing the operator to be hands-free for other helm operations.
In addition the JETanchor system is set-up with an autotune routine, which automatically tunes the control system to specific vessels’ dynamics and. According to HamiltonJet makes it very easy to install.
The manufacturers claim that the system will provide commercial operators with valuable, tangible benefits resulting in a significant reduction in operator workload and crew fatigue especially on standby, a potential reduction in operational crew numbers, an improvement in fuel consumption and accurate positioning for survey work, ROV deployments, and standby-modes.
By Jake Frith
