DuroWipers chosen by Harwich Haven for four vessel refit

Wednesday, 22nd May 2024

Of all commercial marine vessels, pilot boats can often lead the hardest lives. These hardy vessels are expected to take to sea at any time of the day or night all year round.

Harwich Haven has four pilot boats, Saint Brendan, Saint Christopher, Saint Cuthbert and Saint Edmund, all built at Holyhead Marine to a design by Camarc were delivered between 2010 and 2013, and are entering their mid-life refit stage.

Choosing the correct windscreen marine wipers for a vessel refit is critical for these kind of boats. Harwich Haven Authority’s (HHA) Marine Engineering Manager Matthew Pearson says “Our pilot vessels travel a total of 48,000 nautical miles each year, from the 01/05/23 to 01/05/2024 Distance travelled was 116,592 nm. Because they work in all weathers in significant wave heights of up to three metres they ship green water over their windscreens as a matter of course. Clearing this water with wipers that work effectively, are reliable long term, and easy to fix and maintenance is a key consideration. Any wiper problem can keep a HHA pilot boat in port.”

DuroWipers Class 90 marine wiper system

HHA selected the DuroWipers Class 90 marine wiper system for the vessel refit, which are driven by a 24 Volt 80NM Bosch Motor. Class 90s also benefit from a compact transfer box for applications where space is limited.

DuroWipers is supplying four sets of three class 90 DuroWipers for each of the pilot boats. Matthew Pearson continues: “Our pilot boats were originally supplied with wipers of European manufacture that were not offering the level of reliability we require.

We went through many sets of these wipers, which in some cases have failed in just 1-2 years. Apart from the cost and inconvenience of our pilot boats being off service, we were also becoming concerned about the carbon footprint of replacement wipers and parts coming from Europe.

We trialled a set of DuroWipers over the harsh conditions of December and January on the Saint Brendan, and placed the order for the other vessels on the strength of their simplicity, strength and reliability. DuroWipers also custom-built the control panels for us which was a useful addition.”

Many marine windscreen wipers are derived from crane or train wipers and are only engineered to deal with rain and occasional spray, lacking the torque, strength and longevity of DuroWipers’ 316 stainless steel dual-powered spindle pantograph designs.

Superior wiper design

Noel Gould, Managing Director at DuroWipers, has a simple philosophy: “Our aim at DuroWipers is to offer a superior product design, built in the UK from superior materials and to a superior level of workmanship. This means we have very few warranty issues with these wipers, and with the very few issues we do get, we support our customers the way we would want to be treated ourselves. We proudly supply marine wiper systems to the Royal Navy and RNLI along with a number of port authorities for their pilot launches. It is always a pleasure to have DuroWipers selected by serious seagoing institutions such as Harwich Haven Authority.”

Associated Listing:

Wescom’s new sMRT V300 Class M Man Overboard Now Available

Monday, 20th May 2024

The new sMRT V300 Class M Man Overboard emergency distress beacon by Wescom Group is now available worldwide. The first public viewing of this important item of marine safety equipment will be at the Navalia Ship Building Exhibition in Vigo, taking place May 21-23 (stand G96).

Emergency Distress Beacon

The sMRT V300 is the latest in the new series of emergency distress beacons from Wescom Group. A commercial-grade man-overboard device, the sMRT V300 offers an extended signalling range to enhance localised man-overboard alerting, locating and recovery.

With automatic water activation technology, audible and visual indicators, and multiple fixing options for life jackets, this exciting innovation of marine safety equipment will be manufactured at Wescom Group’s state-of-the-art facility in Hull, UK.

Real-time location tracking

The innovative features of the sMRT V300 include two-way signalling, real-time location tracking via AIS (Automatic Identification System), a 121.5MHz homing frequency, and the use of DSC (Digital Selective Calling) to alert nearby vessels to call for help. The sMRT V300 represents the latest development in the sMRT commercial distress beacon range, which has served as the backbone of offshore and oil and gas marine safety for over a decade.

The sMRT V300 is also one of the first commercial products on the market designed to meet the new Class M regulation ECC Decision (22)02, which will restrict AIS-only MOB device use of core AIS channels in certain countries from January 2025. Only Class M devices such as the sMRT V300 – those with GNSS and internal DSC receivers – will be compliant with the new regulations.

A step forward for Marine Safety

Wescom Group VP Marine Sales David Duffin stated: “The sMRT V300 is a step forward in man overboard beacon technology building on MRT’s class leading offshore distress beacon range. The sMRT V300 meets the latest Class M AIS/DSC requirements and is easy to fit to lifejackets and has accelerated alerting features including water activation. Following on from the successful launch of the award winning sMRT ALERT MOB, Wescom Group’s electronics division continues to drive safety and security in the harshest marine environments.”

The sMRT V300 costs from £360 RRP and is now available to order worldwide through Wescom Group’s network of international distributors of marine safety equipment.

Associated Listing:

Castoldi launches new high efficiency Turbodrive Waterjet 400HCT

Friday, 17th May 2024

Castoldi, a global leader in waterjet propulsion systems has launched the latest in a new range of hydrodynamically optimised waterjets; the Turbodrive 400 HCT.

Obtaining its name from its 400 mm jet housing, hydraulic gearbox/clutch and high thrust efficiency, the Turbodrive Waterjet 400 HCT is the latest size in a new range of high-tech waterjets. The new propulsion system has been designed using the latest and most advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software.

The Turbodrive Waterjet – 12 Years in the Making

The development of the new family of Castoldi HCT Turbodrive Waterjets started 12 years ago and according to Giacomo Castoldi, owner at Castoldi S.r.l. “Thanks to the very latest developments in fluid dynamics, the new Turbodrive 400 HCT is around 12 % more efficient than the outgoing model and is perfectly interchangeable with it”. Castoldi added: “Refit customers upgrading from the Turbodrive 400 HC to the Turbodrive 400 HCT will be pleased to learn that the bolt patterns have remained the same, removing the need for costly and time consuming structural work around the duct and transom.”

Whether used to increase a vessel’s top speed or allow smaller engines to deliver the same performance for reduced carbon emissions, efficiency is a useful force multiplier which in the case of the Turbodrive 400 HCT has also delivered improvements in acceleration, noise output, maneuverability and speed maintenance through sharp turns.

Double Hydraulic Gearbox

In common with all Castoldi waterjets, the Turbodrive 400 HCT features a durable hydraulic gearbox and multi-disc clutch allowing the drive to be engaged and disengaged without stopping the engine. This is important consideration for the fast ferries, Police, patrol and Search and Rescue boats which make up a significant proportion of Castoldi’s customers.

Castoldi’s gearbox is integrated into the jet casting which not only ensures a compact space requirement but also enables the key benefit of a low-slung driveshaft. Because the driveshaft is underslung below the gearbox on all Castoldi waterjets, it changes the whole geometry of the duct. Not only is the waterjet provided with a low centre of gravity- always of benefit on a boat- the duct is markedly less ramped than competitors’ waterjets, leading to enhanced efficiency of the propulstion system because the water that the jet pumps is neither lifted as far nor requires such sharp changes in its direction of flow.

Weighing in at 509 kg, the Turbodrive 400 HCT includes all essential components such as gearbox, hydraulic clutch, water intake, duct, anodes, and levers. The integrated gearbox offers 21 gear ratios, allowing for precise matching with a variety of engines in its power range.

Redesigned Steering System

Capable of handling up to 882kW (1,200 mHP) of input power, the Turbodrive 400 HCT also features a redesigned steering system ensuring greater precision, further reducing speed loss during turns. Additionally, a new reversing bucket geometry and increased hydraulic power enable prompt and efficient crash-stop manoeuvres.

Exclusive Castoldi Features

The waterjet is equipped with exclusive Castoldi features, including the Clear-Duct unclogging system for superior waterjet duct cleaning that when activated performs the dual action of back-flushing with intake grid opening and a variety of control systems, including the advanced electronic ACES; an intuitive joystick-controlled helming system.

Castoldi has over 60 years of expertise in manufacturing waterjet propulsion systems and is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation. The Turbodrive 400 HCT represents a significant milestone in the evolution of waterjet propulsion, catering to the demands of a new era that seeks ever-higher performance without burning more fuel to achieve it.

Associated Listing:

Castoldi SpA

Southbay Civil Engineering receives ICE Robert Stephenson Award

Wednesday, 15th May 2024

Southbay Civil Engineering has received the 2024 ICE Robert Stephenson Small Project of the Year Award for the Dawdon Short Sea Outfall Refurbishment scheme.

Until its closure in 1991 Dawdon Colliery was one of the largest coal mines in the UK, which produced over 1 million tons of coal each year at its peak. Following its closure, the Dawdon Mine Treatment Scheme was constructed in 2016, which protects a vital source of drinking water to approximately 30,000 people in County Durham.

The project involved the refurbishment of the outfall structures used to discharge mine water from the treatment facility into the North Sea.

Due to the aggressive tidal environment, the project involved detailed planning by our experienced team of marine civil engineers, with daily monitoring of weather and sea conditions.

Specialist divers and marine plant in the form of a Jack up Barge, were used to access the outfall structures, which are located in the North Sea. The project included removal of damaged sections of outfall pipe, hydro demolition of the sea bed, placement of sustainable grout bags, placement of precast concrete units, complete with new pipework, and the installation of markers buoys.

The project involved significant collaboration with specialist delivery partners to ensure safe delivery within an unpredictable tidal environment.

The award ceremony was held at The Crowne Plaza in Newcastle. The judges responded to the win saying “This was a hugely interesting project. The design changes and the final impact on the environment were impressive, given the exceptionally difficult site conditions brought about by climate change.”

Managing Director of Paul Stephenson commented “I am delighted that our company was recognised for delivering this extremely challenging project, which required significant pre-planning and relied upon the specialist marine construction experience of our talented site team to safely deliver’.

Southbay Civil Engineering Ltd specialise in marine civil engineering and marine construction and design and build contracts.

Southbay Civil Engineering Ltd projects include:

– River and coastal works
– Jetty, quayside and sea wall repairs
– Reinforced concrete structures
– Steel piling
– Flood defenses
– Bridges
– Civil engineering for marine and non-marine structures

Associated Listing:

DLM Adds SaaS to Load Monitoring Range

Monday, 13th May 2024

Dynamic Load Monitoring (UK) Ltd. (DLM) is adding Software as a Service (SaaS) to its range of load cells and monitoring equipment

SaaS will be initially incorporated into DLM’s lines of tensile link and shackle load cells that capture data as tension is applied to lifting equipment and marine equipment. YOKE chips and RiConnect software enable Dynamic Load Monitoring Ltd customers to track their assets; access documentation, like user manuals and calibration certificates; and more effectively manage inspection programmes.

The Southampton, UK-based company is already implementing radio frequency identification (RFID) technology into manufacturing processes to support clients with asset management digital transformation. The equipment can be used subsea down to 6,000 m (20,000 ft.), which is a depth usually only found in ocean trenches.

RiConnect

RiConnect is a cloud-based SaaS provider; it is headquartered in Taiwan but opened RiConnect UK Limited at the turn of the year.

The brand is already synonymous with YOKE, which uses the software primarily for certificates of conformity and safe use instructions. Notably, YOKE manufactures a durable range of RFID tags, including BlueSupra, which work well with RiConnect software, and are incorporated into DLM equipment.

Leanne Whitehurst-Maiden, sales director at RiConnect UK Limited, said: “We have a worldwide presence but most notably in Taiwan, Japan, and now the UK. The use of traditional plastic chips in severe offshore working environments can lead to the loss or corruption of data, especially when the plastic chip is subject to continuous impact damage, UV [ultraviolet] light, corrosive substances, and other hazards found in challenging conditions.”

Whitehurst-Maiden explained that BlueSupra chips are available in different versions; the blue nano is the simplest to use and can be manufactured into lifting products. For example, every piece of lifting equipment YOKE makes comes with a blue nano embedded into it and uses RiConnect to store data. The software is also found in chain blocks and other material handling products.

Martin Halford, managing director at DLM, said: “It makes checking and presenting certification data for our customers a lot easier. Simply by scanning the load link with a smart phone, users can get the relevant information plus access to safe use instructions or inspection criteria.

“We plan to adopt this smart technology more widely in time, perhaps with running line monitors [RLMs] and saddleback monitors [used in pre-lay grapnel run and route clearance operations to measure line tension] among suitable products. Eventually, rental fleet management and thorough examinations will become paperless, and we want to be at the sharp end of that evolution.”

RiConnect software is based on the principles of asset management; it can be used on any assets that require documentation storing or checks to be performed surrounding their use. In terms of pre-use inspection, maintenance, calibration, etc., load cells and monitoring and lifting equipment are a primary marketplace. The pharmaceutical, medical, and automotive sectors are among other pioneers.

Halford added: “Business remains on an upward trajectory; we have ambitious plans to grow the company with adoption of state-of-the-art systems like RiConnect and BlueSupra chips, alongside our ranges of hardware, combining to make industries safer.”

Sustainability drive

Adopting state-of-the-art technology from RiConnect into its lines of load cells and monitoring equipment chimes with wider sustainability efforts by DLM. The company continues to pioneer a series of measures to inspire the engineering sector to be greener and more sustainable.

DLM has been ISO 14001 certified for many years, which means it meets the criteria for an environmental management system and can be certified accordingly. ISO 14001 maps out a framework that a company or organisation can follow to set up an effective environmental management system. This has supported much wider sustainability strategy that serves as a blueprint for other businesses to follow.

Halford said: “Although we are a small company in the engineering sector we have big plans around sustainability, backed by a passion to change the culture and behaviour of our organisation and lead by example. We have several passionate staff members, who are keen to drive a few key initiatives that we have already been implementing.”

Partnerships and collaborations with companies like RiConnect will remain at the forefront of these endeavours

Associated Listing:

Workboats – Vital to the Marine Industry, featuring at Seawork

Wednesday, 8th May 2024

Workboats are vital in the commercial marine sector, serving diverse purposes from cargo transport to offshore maintenance. These sturdy vessels navigate rivers, ports, and open seas, facilitating maritime commerce and infrastructure development.

Workboats come in various types, including tugboats, barges, crew boats, and dredgers, each tailored to specific tasks. Often equipped with powerful engines and specialized equipment, they handle towing, dredging, firefighting, and rescue operations.

Future Of Workboats

The future of workboats in the commercial marine industry promises a paradigm shift driven by technological advancements, sustainability imperatives, and evolving operational demands. As industries adapt to climate change and environmental regulations tighten, there’s a growing emphasis on eco-friendly solutions. Electric propulsion systems, powered by renewable energy sources like solar and hydrogen fuel cells, are gaining traction, promising zero-emission operations and reduced carbon footprints.

Automation and autonomous technologies are also poised to revolutionise workboats. Unmanned vessels equipped with sensors, AI algorithms, and advanced navigation systems can enhance safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. These vessels could perform tasks autonomously or be remotely controlled, reducing the need for onboard crew and mitigating human error risks.

Furthermore, data analytics and predictive maintenance systems enable proactive vessel management, optimising performance and minimising downtime. Technology can facilitate real-time monitoring of vessel health, fuel consumption, and cargo status, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making.

In terms of design, workboats are likely to become more modular and customisable, allowing for versatile configurations to meet specific operational requirements. Additionally, the adoption of lightweight materials and innovative hull designs will improve fuel efficiency and manoeuvrability.

Glasgow boat builder Ultimate Boats is to unveil two new fully recyclable, high-performance workboats at the Seawork trade fair in Southampton (picture in post)

Overall, the future of workboats in the commercial marine industry is characterised by sustainability, automation, connectivity, and adaptability, ushering in an era of smarter, greener, and more efficient maritime operations.

Workboats will be a key feature of the upcoming Seawork Exhibition in June, Europe’s largest on-water commercial marine and workboat exhibition. Seaplant are the official media partners of Seawork, working to promote our advertisers and subscribers at the event

Month: May 2024

Advertise with Seaplant

Join us