Thrusters FPP Services
Bow, Stern & Azimuth Thruster Maintenance, Repair & Overhauls
THE SPECIALIST THRUSTER SUPPORT YOU NEED
Full capabilities to provide the right levels of service you need for all your propulsion requirements, whether planned maintenance in dry dock or fault rectification at sea.
Combining OEM knowledge with extensive practical experience, you can have confidence you’ll get the solution you need for equipment reliability
Our Thruster Services
Bow, Stern & Azimuth thruster service Inspection:
- Backlash measurement verification
- Gear tooth contact pattern verification
- Bearing clearance / prestress verification on pinion and propeller shaft
- Propeller blades seals exchange
- Propeller shaft seals exchange
- 4 point bearing check
- Blade tip clearances verification
- Propeller / blade repair and polishing
- Function test
Bow, Stern & Azimuth thruster general overhaul:
- Check and record all data prior to disassembly
- Disassembly of thruster
- Check & calibrate hub parts
- NDT of all critical parts including gear set
- Machining
- Assembly
- Backlash and pattern adjustments
- Propeller / blade repair and polishing
- Function tested
Bow and stern thrusters are transverse propulsion devices. They operate independently of the main propulsion system. Modern ships tend to use tunnel thrusters. These are built into the bow or stern. They are positioned below the waterline but ships with thrusters generally have some sort of indicator of this above the waterline. This is usually a red X.
Thrusters do have the potential to create undesirable resistance while the ship is in forward motion. This can, however, be mitigated by ensuring that the tunnel aperture is properly faired aft.
All bow and stern thrusters should have a grille in front of them. This will limit the amount of debris that can get into the tunnel and/or impeller. Not with standing this, thrusters will still need periodic cleaning.
The space heater should be checked regularly. This is important to keep the insulation dry. For the same reason, you should check for leaks in the bow thruster room. These usually indicate a damaged seal. The insulation itself should be carefully monitored. If it starts to get damaged by moisture, you need to find out before the next time you need to rely on your thrusters.
Once a month or thereabouts you should check and grease the motor and links. You should also test for water in the hydraulic oil and check the thickness of the contractors.
More in-depth maintenance and basic repairs can be done while the ship is in dry dock. It might be possible to keep the thrusters on the ship. If not, they will generally only be transported to a nearby warehouse. This kind of work is usually undertaken as part of a planned dry dock.
When bow and stern thrusters need a major overhaul, they do need to be disconnected completely from the ship. This allows the thrusters to be stripped back to their components for in-depth cleaning and repair or replacement.
All thrusters will need a major overhaul from time to time as components do wear out through use. The number and frequency of major overhauls can, however, be kept to a minimum through proper maintenance and repair.
