Bridge Overhaul for Washington State Ferries

 

WSF has decided it is time for a bridge update, returning to Furuno for its latest large-scale fleet modernization beginning with the Issaquah 130 Class.

 

Built in 1979 and rebuilt in 1989 to increase capacity, the heart of the Issaquah’s newly-upgraded helm boasts the Furuno FAR3220BB Chart Radar. The FAR3000 Radar series features a host of new and improved features. One of the most useful new features, according to WSF, is the FAR3000’s Fast Target Tracking, which provides near-instant data on acquired targets. “The ability to track targets virtually instantaneously is a huge benefit. Where it can take up to three minutes for the ARPA to lock in, we now get that information very quickly. The accuracy of this initial information is higher than earlier target tracking,” commented Capt. Bill Hughes of WSF. This feature is of prime importance in the congested waterways near Seattle, where small and fast targets can appear with little notice.

 

Another of Capt. Hughes’ favorite features is the Advanced Clutter Elimination circuit, or ACE. ACE automatically adjusts the sea and rain clutter controls according to the current sea and weather conditions, giving operators the ability to optimize the radar with a single control. Utilizing the ACE feature, navigators avoid complicated adjustment processes and obtain a clearer image with less effort. Additionally, the FAR3000 series’ advanced Interference Reduction (IR) function ensures that valid target echoes do not shrink, even with IR on. “The ACE Feature is very handy and is an extremely valuable tool for enhancing weak targets in fog or darkness. In side-by-side comparisons with sea conditions that create challenges in inland waters, excessive sea returns are easily handled. The target presentation of the FAR3000 appears to have crisper processing than the FAR2127,” Capt. Hughes stated.

 

Furuno has updated its equipment and kept the design and setup simple. “Over the years, the product support and design have been consistent, resulting in easier maintenance and a quicker fix. Evolving from potentiometers to menu controls takes the refinement to a higher level of accuracy,” Capt. Hughes continued.

 

When asked about how Furuno has supported Washington State Ferries in terms of product development and engineering specifically for WSF, Capt. Hughes said, “The engineers, over the years, have been very responsive to our needs. They’ve taken a highly commercial deep sea product and adapted it into a premier harbor and inland radar. In our waterways, we’re always in collision avoidance mode in high density traffic, continuously. The way Furuno have helped to recognize our needs allows us to respond quicker and thus, more safely in dealing with emerging situations.”