Another Ferry Chooses WESMAR Thrusters
WESMAR announced that another ferry, the MV Norcon Galatea, has installed WESMAR’s commercial bow thrusters. The 387-ton, 125-foot Ro-Ro Passenger Ferry, owned by Norcon Marine Services, Clarenville, Newfoundland, provides support for the provincial ferry fleet serving Bell Island and Portugal Cove, Newfoundland. The Galatea has capacity for 70 passengers and 20 cars.
The 40-year-old Ferry was previously the MV Hamilton Sound and owned by the Provincial Government, but in 2011 they sold her, and after extensive upgrades by its new owner the Provincial Government leased her back.
The need for rugged commercial bow thrusters due to the rough weather in Eastern Canada prompted the owner of the MV Norcon Galatea to contact WESMAR, producer of commercial bow thrusters for ferries, Ro-Ro boats, excursion and dinner cruise boats around the world.
WESMAR suggested its Model V2-26 to provide the HP range of 150 to 225 to augment the twin propellers and a single rudder on centerline that was in use. The WESMAR system is hydraulically powered and the 26-inch all stainless steel dual props and drive leg make it the most rugged available. The counter rotating design provides up to 40% more thrust without increasing the tunnel size. This system was installed in an 18-foot steel tunnel.
Tim Wetzel, Poseidon Marine Consultants Ltd., St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, had this to say about the WESMAR thruster: "As the Naval Architect responsible for the technical component of this retrofit, we were seeking a compact tunnel thruster with a high degree of thrust. The Norcon Galatea is a relatively shallow draft vessel with a high windage area. The selected WESMAR thruster was well suited for this purpose. Additionally, we appreciated the quality of provided specifications and drawings, as well as prompt technical support as the project progressed."
Similar WESMAR systems are operating around the world. The Circle Line Manhattan, N.Y. fleet has WESMAR on its 165-foot sightseeing vessels circumnavigating Manhattan Island; the 160-Foot Dinner
Cruise Boat California Spirit is a popular WESMAR-equipped vessel in San Diego, Calif.; The BC Ferry MV Takchek; the 399-passsenger ferry Wabanaki, Portland, Maine; two 32-knot , 235 foot 250 passenger and 36 vehicle catamaran ferries serving Juneau, Sitka, Whittier, Valdez and Cordova, Alaska; two 160-foot , 6oo passenger Puerto Rican ferries Cayo Banco and Isla Bonita; and the 700 passenger 80-car Ro-Ro Ferry running between Queenscliff and Sorento, Australia, to name a few. Add to this the delivery and supply vessels working off the US Gulf Coast with the aid of WESMAR thrusters for maneuvering and docking, and the choice of WESMAR for MV Norcon Galatea is clear.
Since acquiring the vessel, Norcon has rebuilt the main engines and gearboxes, overhauled generators, installed a new forward ramp, new anchor and chains, new fire alarm system, new emergency evacuation system, upgraded all navigation equipment, upgraded safety equipment and made considerable upgrades to passenger areas. The recently added WESMAR thrusters was carried out at Norcon’s sister company, Burry’s Shipyard Inc. in Clarenville, Newfoundland, Canada.
“Our Norcon Marine team has invested considerable effort and energy to prepare the Galatea to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable service. We are both pleased and proud to offer support to the provincial ferry fleet,” said Glenn Burry, President Norcon Marine Services.
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