Page 43: of Marine News Magazine (September 2015)

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BOAT OF THE MONTH rotating ring which surrounds the deckhouse, of approxi- ment of the Carrousel system was begun. The objectives mately the same diameter as the beam of the tug. were to (a.) ensure that any potential propulsion failure

The Carrousel system provides the highest possible de- resulted in a “fail-safe” attitude of the tug “end-on” to the gree of towing safety against girting of any device available line forces (even though even beam-to the Carrousel tow- today. In addition to this key safety factor, the system also ing system is inherently fail-safe), and (b.) to establish that provides very signi? cant operational advantages by simply the tension in the line can always be controlled simply by using the resistance and hydrodynamic forces generated by changing the tug’s orientation, even at high speeds. After the tug’s hull for steering and braking the tow. Very signi? - another extensive series of CFD analyses and model tests, cant fuel savings can be achieved as the tug basically “har- any concerns were alleviated and many important lessons vests” kinetic energy that is already available in the moving had been learned, unlocking a combination of design ele- tow rather than adding energy with its engines to perform ments which is anticipated to have far-reaching implica- its job, obviously with much lower emissions. Much re- tions on tug operations and towing safety worldwide.

duced mechanical wear on the propulsion train of the tug is also a clear operational advantage. CRT’s Versatility & Utility

Another round of detailed research to evaluate the mer- Figures 2 through 4 illustrate how the Carrousel-RAVE its of this combination, and also to ensure optimal place- Tug (CRT) can be deployed as either a bow tug, stern tug, 43 www.marinelink.com MN