Page 106: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2016)

PROPULSION

Images: ABB

Mastering Drive Enabled Electronic Thrusters labama has the largest con- These electronic thrusters are compat- the heavy industrial and marine mar- DP – A New Challenge for OSVs centration of builders of ible with the Dynamic Positioning (DP) kets. Along the way it has become one When engaged a DP System simulta- metal fabricated vessels un- systems that automatically maintain a of Master Boat’s most valued suppliers. neously and continuously controls the

Ader 300 feet in the country, vessel’s position while it is serving an Gulf Coast’s early work with the off- bow thrusters, main propulsion system and Master Boat Builders Inc. of Bayou offshore oil platform. shore boats included supplying mechani- and rudders to hold the ship in place, no

La Batre, has established its niche by Baldor motors and ABB drives have cally operated bow and stern thruster matter the wind, current or wave action. building sophisticated offshore supply been integral components of Master systems driven with hydraulic motors. The orchestra of control is essential in vessels (OSVs) to serve the oil industry. Boat thrusters since the early stages of “In the mid-2000s or so, Master Boat the supply process to keep a boat from

The company started in 1979 as many the transition, because both components told us they were going to build a boat hitting the ? oating oil rig, and potential- in the area did, initially building ? shing are uniquely able to withstand the harsh with electric thrusters and VFDs, and ly moving it off its mark, causing major boats, before expanding into small off- marine environment and the tremendous asked if we were willing to learn the new damage while drilling in three to ? ve shore supply vessels. Since 2000 it has demands of the DP system. technology,” said Chuck Moorehead, mile sea depths.

focused primarily on the supply vessels, As Master Boat grew it forged a re- Gulf Coast president and co-founder. “DP systems became a requirement on each year expanding the build size capa- lationship with Gulf Coast Air & Hy- “Being able to fall into the VFD technol- almost every offshore supply vessel op- bility. draulics Inc., located 25 miles up the ogy changed everything for us.” erating in the Gulf,” said Andre Dubroc, road in Mobile. Founded in 1985, Gulf The biggest bene? t of the electric the general manager of Master Boat.

Electric Powered Thrusters Coast began the marine portion of its thrusters is how smoothly they inter- “We had to move along with that new

Master Boat has cultivated its oil rig business doing engine control and steer- face and respond to the DP systems that regulation and ensure that all of a boat’s supply boat business, in large part, by be- ing work on tug boats. Thirty years later are required by the American Bureau of equipment could meet the rigors of oper- ing one of the ? rst builders to transition Gulf Coast is a full line distributor and Shipping (ABS), and the oil companies ating under dynamic positioning.” to thrusters powered by electric motors fabricator specializing in air, hydraulic that contract the boats to supply their From a macro perspective there were and variable frequency drives (VFDs). and electric products and services for offshore oil rigs. immediate DP system bene? ts realized 106 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • NOVEMBER 2016

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