Galatea

[Sniper]

I came through Harwich Harbour yesterday for a jolly and overheard the 'Galatea' announcing that she was going to sit over the Stour side of the spit for a while, prior to collecting a light ship. She moved across and then sat in exactly the same spot for an hour or so, waiting for the tide. I believe she has some sort of GPS system which allows her to hold station but it was the first time I had ever witnessed it in action. It was quite uncanny not only that she maintained exactly the same position but also exactly the same orientation.

Does anyone know if there is any machinery involved other than main propulsion and bow thrusters? Does she have azimuthing stern gear?

Ah - Google is my friend
http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/pdfs/pdf_insert_thv_galatea_jan_2011_final_approved.PDF

 

[forelle541]

There is a lot involved. Quite useful when she is lifting kit on to Royal Sovereign and she has to stay close in.

 

[tillergirl]

Alert has a positioning system as well although they told me it was not as powerful. I was taking some piccies of the Alert laying the Crouch buoyage and seeing a ship coming sideways at you is really quite spooky.

 

[Tomahawk]

.
Tis interesting to note that the Froggies do the same job with a boat about half the size as Trinity House..

 

[swatchways]

We saw this as well - curious to notice when they start moving a little, it's not always forwards!
Having said that, as we came out of the stour, we were accompanied by a tug, who was travelling forwards initially, then pulled a 180 in the same space and travelled next to is backwards all the way over the felixstowe then did another J turn and went home forwards! Incredible control those things, fascinating to watch! ��

 

[sailorman]

We saw this as well - curious to notice when they start moving a little, it's not always forwards!
Having said that, as we came out of the stour, we were accompanied by a tug, who was travelling forwards initially, then pulled a 180 in the same space and travelled next to is backwards all the way over the felixstowe then did another J turn and went home forwards! Incredible control those things, fascinating to watch! 

azziprops (sp)

 

[swatchways]

Googling aziprop turned up this article ...

http://www.solarnavigator.net/fischer_panda_diesel_electric.htm

Fascinating to see, thanks for that! I guess he was just enjoying himself!

 

[sailorman]

A chap know know had one on a barge, a disaster when the oil filled motor got water in the casing. it had to be shipped back to FP for rebuild at the cost of many £s

 

[tillergirl]

Here is the Alert going sideways to find the precise slot for the Crouch No 2. Not exactly a dynamic image



[URL=http://s217.photobucket.com/user/rgaspar_album/media/TrintyHouse22011036.jpg.html]

 

[forelle541]

Half the size of the Alert, that must be quite a sight.

.
Tis interesting to note that the Froggies dobthe same job with a boat about half the size as Trinity House..

 

[sailorman]

Half the size of the Alert, that must be quite a sight.

BUT TH have loadsa money to spend & Galatea is on lease hire

 

[ricky_s]

Shouldn't need a bow thruster on a boat of only 84m, the skipper should learn to handle it properly.

 

[sailorman]

Shouldn't need a bow thruster on a boat of only 84m, the skipper should learn to handle it properly.

Wot much like a 35` AWB