In addition to being overall winner, the EPS was also winner of the Propulsion, Machinery, Electrical and Mechanical category. The ESP Silent Thruster was chosen from an exceptionally strong and record breaking field of 172 entrants.
The EPS Silent Thruster has no gaps between the propeller blade and the tunnel, removing the main source of noise pollution.
Construction without gear or propeller shaft also makes the EPS very compact, taking up just one third the space of a conventional thruster. A flexible rubber mounting further eliminates noise and vibration.
The EPS Silent Thruster also offers substantial weight savings, with lightweight blades which are simple to fit and exchange.
The ESP delivers an equally powerful thrust to port and starboard as well as impressive steering power and manoeuvring accuracy.
In addition to fixed thrusters, Van der Velden is now working on retractable systems and developing the concept of EPS specifically as a means of propulsion. Tests are currently being carried out in order to optimise the shape of the propeller blades.
MJ Information No: 21417
