WESMAR ABS Bow Thruster First On Sophisticated New Oil Support Vessel


Woodinville, WA — 10 June 2009 — WESMAR (Western Marine Electronics) of Woodinville, WA has announced the installation of their ABS design approved bow thruster for dynamic positioning on the 175-foot FSV Gulf Fury, the newest and fastest oil support vessel for Gulf Fleet of Lafayette, Louisiana.

Gulf Fleet operates vessels serving the offshore oil and natural gas industries in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. WESMAR has provided rugged underwater equipment for work boats, commercial fishing boats, yachts, excursion vessels and ships of the world’s navies since 1965.

WESMAR ABS Bow Thruster

Gulf Fury, joins a fleet of 17 other Gulf Fleet vessels. “She is our first total ABS classed DPS-1 vessel. With this classification and with WESMAR’s V2-20 ABS design approved bow thruster, the Gulf Fury is viewed highly in the industry, creating opportunities for us around the world,•bCrLf said Ryan Pecoraro, Technical Engineer and Project Manager for Gulf Fleet.

Gulf Fury was built for deep water offshore work around platforms that are not attached to the sea bottom, traveling back and forth doing crew changes and carrying cargo for the rigs, 24 hours a day/7 days a week. This work requires close maneuvering in adverse conditions, and holding the boat true, and this is where the WESMAR bow thruster is of great value, says Pecoraro.

“We believe WESMAR is the only stainless steel counter rotating dual prop bow thruster system to have ABS DP certification,•bCrLf said Bob Sentz, Vice President of WESMAR’s Mechanical Division. The system on the Gulf Fury is a Model V2-20NS Vortex counter rotating, dual prop all stainless steel bow thruster, with a horsepower rating from 75 to 150 and the company anticipates similar approval soon for their V2-26 and V2-36 systems, which operate on vessels up to 350 HP.

By Professional Mariner Staff