New DP controls trialled for marine construction

Marine contractor Keynvor Morlift (KML) will retrofit its fleet with a newly developed dynamic positioning (DP) control system to open up new markets for barges.

Reygar successfully tested its StemTide DP control system on 60 m multipurpose barge Mormaen 15 during Q1 2018 after the 22 m wide barge was converted in Falmouth, UK.StemTide controlled two modular deck-mounted azimuthing thrusters on this barge demonstrating its positioning capabilities.It was installed on Mormaen 15 at the same time as the 430 kW thrusters and integrated with the thruster control system in about one hour. Reygar said the system was successfully tested in automatic, weathervane and joystick assist modes during the sea trials.

Reygar’s StemTide is a new DP control system to be trialled and could be a rival to existing providers. Its successful testing on a multipurpose vessel and a marine construction barge also opens DP to new vessel markets. It means this technology sector, which has been impacted by the dramatic downturn in the offshore vessel industry, has another market to target. Along with trials of using DP systems on tugs, there will be a drive to introduce these systems on vessels involved in marine construction, towage and ship handling duties. Others are bound to follow KML’s lead.