Rolls-Royce improves ice class ship stability

The Stabilisation-at-Rest (SAR) system, incorporated to both the Aquarius and Neptune ranges of Rolls-Royce retractable stabilisers, employs active fin control technology and advanced hydrodynamic design to deliver higher levels of roll reduction bothwhen the vessel is at rest and during operation.

“The one-piece fin construction offers simple maintenance, reducing through-life cost. The fin shape is designed to improve zero speed performance, as more chord is behind the fin centreline,” said Martin Cunningham, managing director, Rolls-Royce Motion Control Dunfermline.

New design

In the new design, the stabiliser fins can be fully retracted into the custom-designed fin box, so there are no protrusions from the hull form, ensuring safe navigation through ice.

It has a reduced fin area and optimised lower fin angle which meet the stabilisation performance requirements and it also reduces dynamic drag when deployed underway which leads to lower fuel costs. The stabiliser fin incorporates the proven Rolls-Royce trailing edge design which eliminates vibration and noise.

Recognising that the Rolls-Royce ice class SAR stabilisers are likely to be employed on vessels sailing in environmentally sensitive areas, a special quad seal arrangement ensures minimal risk of leakage, and the machinery is fully compatible with a wide range of Environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs).

“The sealing arrangement and compatibility with EALs mean the ice class SAR systems meet the requirements for VGP Permit vessels, while the low drag results in less fuel being burned, which also benefits the environment,” added Mr Cunningham.