Ferry 'Tacoma' Likely Out of Service Until December
Capt. George A. Capacci Interim Assistant Secretary WSDOT/Ferries Division reports in the 'WSF Weekly Update' on the 'Tacoma' repair plan as follows: "This week, we received an initial update on the Tacoma repair plan from Siemens Marine Solutions. The report says a fuse blew in the vessel’s propulsion control system without indication to the operating engineers, triggering a chain of events that led to the power failure. We continue to review the cause of the incident. A Board of Inquiry, WSF’s highest level of investigation, convened this week and expects to complete their work once the vessel repair is complete. Preliminary findings show the Tacoma will be out of service until at least December 2014. Source: WSF Weekly Update
Siemens Supplies Propulsion for Survey Vessels
Siemens Marine Solutions has received an order from China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL) to equip two special deep-sea vessels with propulsion equipment and integrated automation and control systems. The new vessels – one will be used for deepwater seismic research and the other for engineering surveys – will enhance COSL’s working capabilities in waters of up to 3,000 meters in depth. The order is worth about $32.5m. Delivery of both vessels is scheduled for the middle of 2011. China Oilfield Services Limited is part of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), a provider of integrated oilfield services for the offshore market. Up to now, COSL’s focus was on exploration activities in coastal waters.
Siemens Equips Ships for Australia's Navy
Siemens Marine Solutions has been commissioned by the Spanish shipyard Navantia S.A. to equip two new multi-functional supply ships with pod propulsion units and power supply equipment. The final customer is the Australian navy which intends to use the two ships to improve the range of its amphibian deployment capabilities. To this end, the ships (LHDs - Landing Helicopter Docks) will be equipped with up to twelve helicopters. Both ships will be built in Ferrol in the north-west of Spain and the final equipment will be installed at the Tenix shipyard in Australia. The order is worth some $67.5m. Siemens is responsible for all the electrical propulsion and power supply equipment for the two ships.
New Head of Sales at Voith Turbo Marine
André Körner joins Voith Turbo as its new head of sales as of September 1, 2004. During the last ten years, Körner worked as Senior Sales Manager at Siemens Marine Solutions. Koerner completed a training program in energy plant electronics at Lürssen Shipbuilders in Bremen-Vegesack and worked for a year on the cruise liner MS Columbus “C“.
Podded Propulsion: A 360°
The evolution of podded propulsion systems has gained steam in recent years, as a number of notable new systems have entered the market with new options. The era of podded propulsion is here and now, and despite some technical glitches with the systems - notably faster than anticipated bearing wear - it is safe to assume that the system's popularity will only grow with experience. Pods, obviously, are not the single solution for every marine application. As with any other technology, limitations exist. However, podded propulsion solutions have opened more marine technological avenues than they have closed as Harri Kulovaara, senior vice president of fleet operations and newbuilding…
