NCDOT ferries feature Schottel STP propulsion

Each ferry will have four Schottel Twin Propellers

Two 185 ft vehicle ferries under construction at Gulf Island Shipyards, Houma, La., for the North Carolina Department of Transportation will each be equipped with four Schottel type STP 150 L Twin Propellers with a propeller diameter of 1.05 m.

The vessels will replace the smaller Hatteras-class ferries that currently serve North Carolina. They will each be capable of carrying 40 vehicles, seven-person crews, and 300 passengers.

The proven Schottel Twin Propeller concept is especially suitable for vessels or applications with limited installation space, draft or propeller clearance. By sharing the load between two propellers, this concept increases propulsion efficiency and reduces fuel consumption compared with single propeller systems. Furthermore, the low-loaded propellers lead to reduced noise emissions and pressure pulses, making the system particularly attractive for passenger vessels.

CONDITION MONITORING

Both ferries will be equipped with Schottel’s S-Com Smart condition monitoring system. It is measures key propulsion system parameters. All parameters are recorded in a data logger aboard the vessel. S-Com Smart enables condition-based maintenance, which can yield significant cost savings compared to conventional maintenance methods. A report informs regularly on all important machine conditions, so that spare parts can be ordered in advance, before an eventual failure occurs.