GE Gas Turbine Powers First National Security Cutter

Thursday, May 15, 2008

GE Marine announces that its LM2500 marine aeroderivative gas turbine now powers the United States Coast Guard’s first National Security Cutter, Bertholf. The cutter recently completed extensive sea trials and was delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard on May 8 by shipbuilder Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB).The cutter’s propulsion system consists of one LM2500 gas turbine in a COmbined Diesel And Gas turbine (CODAG) arrangement with two MTU 20V1163 diesel engines. The propulsion system was provided by MTU Detroit Diesel Corporation.
“During sea trials, the LM2500 gas turbine and the entire CODAG system were operated in a variety of speed settings. A four-hour, full power run was conducted while in CODAG mode with the gas turbine performing well at 29,500 shaft horsepower,” said Brien Bolsinger, general manager, GE Marine, Evendale, Ohio.
Bertholf is the first of class for the U.S. Coast Guard under its Deepwater Program. Built by NGSB at its Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard, the 418-foot-long cutter with a 54-foot beam has a displacement of 4,300 tons. The CODAG propulsion system can propel the ship at speeds greater than 28 knots.
The delivery of Bertholf allows the Coast Guard’s crew to move aboard the cutter and place it “In Commission Special” status. This status indicates that the vessel is entering a post-delivery period of approximately 22 to 24 months during which it will undergo crew training, operational evaluation and certification, and post delivery and post shakedown availabilities to ensure it meets all performance and operational requirements. A formal commissioning ceremony is scheduled on Coast Guard Day, August 4, 2008 in Alameda, Calif.
The second National Security Cutter Waesche is currently under construction at NGSB’s Pascagoula shipyard. The vessel will also be powered by the same LM2500-based CODAG propulsion system. The LM2500 gas turbines for these cutters were manufactured at GE’s Evendale, Ohio facility.