Page 46: of Marine News Magazine (May 2020)

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T engines (two on each VSP) is realized by us. This is done via two very powerful ?uid couplings (Voith Turbo couplings).” “The challenges for the Staten Island Ferry are extremely high because a large number of passengers have to be carried.

The ferry can also be exposed to extreme wind and currents, and ice also creates special loads on the propellers,” Jürgens said. “It is precisely because of these challenges that the VSP is the right propeller.”

R&D-DRIVEN IMPROVEMENTS

Jürgens said Voith is known for investing considerable re- sources in R&D in an effort to constantly improve its propel- lers and the vessels that run them. This is achieved with help from the ?rm’s high-tech R&D “tools”, including a relatively large circulating tank, powerful CFD department and ship handling simulator.

“In the last ?ve years we have successfully launched numer-

Dirk Jürgens studied Naval Architecture at the University ous R&D projects and practice-relevant results are available,” of Rostock from 1983 till 1988. From 1988 until 1993, he

Jürgens said. “For example, we have improved the dynamic worked as a research assistant at the University of Rostock and at the University of Hamburg. In 1994 he ?nished his stabilization capability of Voith propelled vessels, based on

PhD theses about the hydrodynamics of Voith Schneider model tests and complex numerical optimizations.

Propellers. From 1993 unti 1999 he worked at the Ship Yard “We have installed the Voith Condition Monitoring Tech-

Blohm & Voss in Hamburg as manager of a R&D group for nology (CMS) on numerous ships and evaluate the data intel- the development of propulsion and maneuvering devices. ligently. We use this data on the one hand to further reduce

Since 1999 Dirk Jürgens has been the Manager of Research the service costs for our propellers and also to ?nd the optimal and Development of Voith Turbo Marine.

Voith VSPs have been chose for The

Staten Island Ferry’s three new 320- foot Ollis class newbuilds being built by Eastern Shipbuilding.

The Staten Island Ferry

May 2020

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