Red Funnel Orders Two Voith-Schneider Ferries From Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow

Red Falcon, the first of two new passenger/vehicle ferries for Red Funnel, has just been commissioned on the Southampton to Isle of Wight route. The vessel is reportedly larger than the existing ferries operating this service with almost double the carrying capacity.

Extensive ship model tank tests were conducted and the results were encouraging for a vessel of this size. As the small harbor at Cowes is congested, leaving little space to maneuver, machinery and propulsion systems chosen had to be reliable and well-proven. The system also had to be quick to respond and easy to control in order to provide safe operation of the ferry inside the harbor, especially during the winter months. The Red Falcon is a symmetrical double-ended Voith- Schneider propelled ferry built by Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow. Propulsion is by one Voith-Schneider propeller (size 26GII/165) at each end on the centerline, each driven by a Stork Wartsila 8FHD240 engine developing 1,000 kW at 750 rpm through a Voith Turbo coupling, type 1150 DTL. The propeller pitch is controlled by a power-assisted hydraulic system from any one of four positions in the wheelhouse. The second identical ferry, also being built at Ferguson's shipyard, is due to be delivered to Red Funnel later this year. There will then be 10 vehicle ferries operating on three routes to the Isle of Wight, nine of which will be propelled by Voith-Schneider propellers. For more information on Voith-Schneider, Circle 53 on Reader Service Card