Friday, April 8, 2016

Rapp Marine Develops Winch for Baydelta

By Mark Edward Nero

Rapp Marine has developed a unique, fully electric driven double drum tow winch for a new 110 foot by 40 foot tractor tug for Vessel Chartering, a division of San Francisco-based Baydelta Maritime.

Driven by a single 100-HP motor, the winch can pull more than 75 tons and utilizes pneumatic cylinders in place of hydraulics, keeping fluid off of the deck. The brakes offer a force of 250 tons on the barrel layer, according to Rapp Marine.

The main drum can store 2,500 feet of 2.5-inch steel wire, and the storage drum can store 2,200 feet of 2.25-inch steel wire. Both drums are equipped with level winds, and can spool 90 feet of three-inch chain on top of the steel wire.

Another feature is an electric ‘come home’ drive to serve as a backup to the main drive train. The winch’s main control station will be situated in the wheelhouse, with secondary controls located on the winch.

The main control station will employ Rapp Marine’s Pentagon Tow Control System, which provides more efficient and safer operations for towing vessels. The Pentagon System features a touchscreen with tension and wire length readouts, auto-tension capability, and automated haul-in and pay-out settings.

“We view this project as a big step forward,” Rapp Marine US President Johann Sigurjonsson said. “Working closely with Baydelta has resulted in developing an ideal tow winch for the market.”
Rapp Marine, which is headquartered in Norway, but has branches in Seattle and Dutch Harbor, Alaska, offers a line of electric and hydraulic driven mooring winches, anchor windlasses, capstans and cranes.