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Press Release

2019-Aug-26

ZF Retractable Azimuth Tunnel Thruster Technology for “R/V Roger Revelle”

  • Extendable/Retractable azimuth thruster technology for commercial applications
  • Improves station-keeping performance and low speed maneuverability

Miramar (FL), USA. The research vessel “Roger Revelle” is currently going through an extensive mid-life refit. One of the upgrades to the vessel is the installation of telescoping thruster technology from ZF Marine.

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ZF Retractable Azimuth Tunnel Thruster Technology for “R/V Roger Revelle”

The “R/V Roger Revelle” is a globally capable oceanographic research vessel, designed as a platform to support many different facets of ocean-based scientific research. The vessel is owned by the US Navy and operated by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography under a charter agreement with the Office of Naval Research.

In the pursuit of its mission, the crew of the “R/V Roger Revelle” depends on world-class navigation and station-keeping systems on a daily basis. To meet this need the vessel was built with a powerful propulsion system designed to keep it in position anywhere around the globe, in varied weather and sea states.

Currently undergoing a major dry dock period as part of a mid-life upgrade, the vessel is receiving an 1100 horsepower ZF Marine ZF AT 5011 RT TT-FP L-Drive Retractable Thruster. The telescoping design allows it to extend downward from the hull, where it can operate as an azimuth thruster, rotating 360 degrees. When retracted, it operates as a standard tunnel thruster. The result is a multi-functional solution that provides traditional bow maneuvering in port while increasing station-keeping performance of the vessel when on station at sea.

Operational control of the unit will be through ZF ThrusterCommand electronic controls.

ZF Marine will be supplying the same system for the sister-ship, “R/V Atlantis”, during that vessel’s mid-life refit, scheduled to start in 2020.

Part of the family

ZF Marine’s retractable thruster family has eight different models with a performance range from 136 to 2680hp. The product line of commercial thrusters from ZF includes; Well Mounted, Contra Rotation, Deck and Stern Mounted azimuth thrusters, Fixed and Controllable Pitch Tunnel thrusters, as well as a line of Shallow Draft thrusters.

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CONTACT

Svenja Mayer

Head of Marketing and Communications, Marine & Special Driveline

+49 7541 77-2418

svenja.mayer@zf.com