The underwater demounting capability of all eight thrusters means that neither dry docking, nor the use of a habitat is necessary should the thrusters need to be exchanged. They are equipped with Wärtsilä anti-pollution face type shaft seals, which have been selected primarily because of the challenging environments in which the thrusters will operate. The outboard parts of the thrusters are completely interchangeable.
“These are the largest thrusters in our portfolio, and we are particularly pleased with the impressive first-installation performance of the WST-65RU retractable thrusters, which were designed in close cooperation with our customer Heerema Offshore Services especially for this SSCV. The eight-degrees tilted propeller shaft solution, that is a feature of our underwater mountable thrusters, significantly reduces the interaction between the thrusters and the hull, and by exceeding the design specifications during the sea trials, we demonstrated the efficiency of this solution,” says Lauri Tiainen, Director, Thrusters and Propulsion Control Systems, Wärtsilä Marine.
In addition to the thrusters, Wärtsilä also supplied auxiliaries for steering and lubrication, the control units, and Wärtsilä’s comprehensive Propulsion Condition Monitoring Service (PCMS).