Swimmin' With the Fishes STN Atlas, WirtsilS Propulsion "Dolphin" Pod Proves Popular

Jointly developed by STN Atlas Marine Electronics and Wartsila Propulsion, the Dolphin podded system is for vessels designed for high speed and good maneuverability and power requirements extending from 5,000 MW to more than 20.000 MW. With a continuous rotation angle of 360 degrees around the vertical axis, pods ensure optimum maneuverability. The standard drive of the fixed pitch propeller is a six-phase air-cooled synchronous motor, with gears of a conventional thruster being replaced by a low-speed motor directly coupled to the propeller.

A fixed pitch propeller is used with industry-standard lip seals for its propeller shaft. Advantages of the system are elimination of a shaftline, rudder, stern thrusters and reduction gears, as well as enhanced electrical and hydro-dynamic efficiencies, lower fuel consumption and reduced exhaust emissions. Noise and vibration effects are similarly reduced.

STN Atlas recently delivered and installed the first two Dolphin podded propulsion systems aboard Seven Seas Voyager, the new 49,000 gt cruiseliner built by T. Mariotti at its Genoa yard for V. Ships Leisure/Radisson Seas. The vessel commenced sea trials in December 2002 in readiness for delivery in March 2003.

Each Dolphin system provides a power rating of 7,000 MW at 170 rpm.

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 38, Feb 2003

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First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.