PROPULSION SOLUTIONS

FOR OFFSHORE PATROL VESSELS

Comandante Toro, Chilean Navy Coast Guard. Courtesy of Chilean Navy.

With increasing numbers of countries

turning to Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs)
for their coastal defence and policing, they
are becoming a strategic feature in most
nation's naval fleets. But as these modern
vessels perform an array of non-military
functions, including fisheries, environmental
and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
protection and law enforcement, as well as
playing a key role in public relations, their
propulsion systems have to suit the varying
loads that are required in such a diverse
operational envelope.
Because of this, no two OPV designs
are the same, although they are usually
between 500 t and 3300 t displ. with a
speed of up to 25 knots and a limited
weapons and communications fit.

WRTSIL SOLUTIONS ENHANCED TO FIT

AN EVOLVING OPV MARKET
Wrtsil has a long track record in delivering
equipment for OPVs. But like other ship
systems, propulsion systems do vary a great
deal from design to design. A medium speed
engine is found to ideally suit this rugged
application and for the Danubio IV OPV
(shown below) the 12-cylinder Wrtsil 26 in
V-configuration delivers 4080kW per shaftline.
The Wartsila 26 is a robust engine which
has been specifically designed to achieve
24,000 running hours before a top overhaul
is scheduled and all engine servicing can be
carried out in-situ. Wrtsil has combined this
engine with its in-house range of gearboxes
and controllable pitch propellers (CPP),

available in both 4 and 5 bladed configuration,

to provide optimum operation in terms of
performance, reliability and maintenance.
This configuration is favoured by the
Chilean Navy Coast Guard who give the
integrated nature of the control system
coupled with the cost of ownership as key
reasons for selecting the Wrtsil package.

A similar solution has also been taken up by

the Portuguese Navy but with the addition
of a small loiter drive of around 250kW for
continuous operation at less than 6 knots. The
Wrtsil 26 range offers 340kW per cylinder
extending to the 16-cylinder Wrtsil 26,
V-engine at 5440 kW maximum continuous
rating.
When larger engine powers are required
and the power-to-weight ratio demands high
speed engines, Wrtsil can offer CPPs and
gearboxes to suit such applications.

OPVs with 18,000kW propulsion power

are driven by Wrtsil CPPs. The versatility
of the Wrtsil propeller range is well suited
to OPV applications as their highly skewed
designs offer silent operation up to 18 knots
without the need for special hub designs.
Wrtsil works closely with independent
testing facilities such as HSVA and MARIN
to develop the techniques that will ultimately
provide the best full scale results.
Wrtsil envisages an even greater diversity
of vessel types performing similar functions to

that of todays OPVs and in the future, these

will require more varied propulsion solutions.
OPV requirements related to towing, Dynamic
Positioning (DP) and ice-class have already
appeared, while a gas engine driven full
electric propulsion OPV is already in operation
in Norway thanks to their market experience
in the offshore segment. This could be the
starting point of a new market trend, the
solutions for OPVs will undoubtedly evolve.

CHILEAN NAVY COAST GUARD,

COMANDANTE TORO
MAIN MACHINERY
2 x Wrtsil 12V26 A2 engines
Power installed 2 X 4080 kW
REDUCTION GEARBOX
2 x Wrtsil SCV 62
COMMAND CONTROL
2 x Wrtsil Lipstronic 7000
PROPULSION EQUIPMENT
2 x shaftlines
2 x Wrtsil CPP, type 4D775
Diameter 2850 mm
SEALS & BEARINGS
2 x EL290 seals
2 x SLB line shaft bearing
2 x ND 230 bulkhead bearing
Comandante Toro, Chilean Navy Coast Guard. Courtesy of Chilean Navy.

HMS Clyde, Royal Navy. Courtesy of BVT.

ENGINES
GENERATING SETS
The guiding principles behind the design of
Wrtsil engines and generating sets are:
Reliability and low maintenance costs
High thermal efficiency and low emissions
Modular construction and reduced parts
count
Ergonomic interfaces
Minimised consumables
Cylinder liner with Anti Polishing Ring
Extended time between overhauls (up to
24,000 hours between top overhauls)
Common Rail Technology
Emission compliant with IMO Tier II
requirements

SEALS & BEARINGS

Design simplicity provides maximum sealing
system security
Leakage virtually eliminated and easily
accommodates high & low frequency
vibrations
Axial and Radial movements also absorbed
eliminating minor vessel build errors
ECOSAFE composite bearing materials
with low wear down properties
ELECTRICAL & AUTOMATION
Turnkey integrated system solutions
covering Power Distribution and Automation
Detail engineering, electrical analysis and
equipment for naval applications
REDUCTION GEARS
Modular and flexible design
Compact and reliable

Optimum propeller speed for any engine

CP propeller combination
Optional PTO/PTI solutions
Optional built-in multiple plate type of clutch
Combined oil system for gear and CP
propeller

CONTROLLABLE PITCH PROPELLERS

Tailor-made designs
Wake-adapted
High efficiency
Low noise
Low vibration level
No erosive cavitation
Design based on mission profile
Reduction of fuel consumption
Optimised match of propeller with engine
Reduction of fuel consumption
Increased engine lifetime

COMANDANTI class, Italian Navy.

BARENTSHAV class, Norwegian Coast Guard.

ROISIN class, Irish Navy.

OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL REFERENCES

Displ. Speed
Engine
(GT)
(Kn)

Gearbox

CPP

Chilean Navy (DGTMMN)

Piloto Pardo Class

1750

21

2 x Wrtsil 12V26

2 x Wrtsil SCV62

2 x Wrtsil 4D775

Colombian Navy

Plan ORION

1750

18

2 x Wrtsil 6L26

2 x Wrtsil SCV56

2 x Wrtsil 4D600D

China

Haixun

3000

22

2 x Wrtsil 8L38B

2 x Wrtsil SCV85

2 x Wrtsil 4D920

Indian Coast Guard

AOPVs

2250

24

2 x Wrtsil 5C10

Indian Coast Guard

Samar Class

2000

22

2 x Wrtsil 5C09

Indian Navy

NOPVs

2200

25

2 x Wrtsil 5C08

Irish Navy

Roisin Class

1700

23

2 x Wrtsil 12V26

Italian Navy

Comandanti Class

1500

25

2 x Wrtsil 18V26

Italian Navy

Sirio Class

1500

22

2 x Wrtsil 12V26

Philippines Coast Guard

San Juan Class

500

24

Portuguese Navy

Viana do Castelo Class

1500

20

2 x Wrtsil 12V26

Royal Moroccan Navy

OPV

70 m

22

2 x Wrtsil 12V26

Royal Navy

OPV(H)

1850

20

2 x Wrtsil 5C08

Royal Navy

River Class

1700

20

2 x Wrtsil 5C08

Royal New Zealand Navy

Otago Class

1600

22

2 x Wrtsil 5C09

South Africa

Sarah Baartman

86 m

22

Spanish Navy

BAM

2600

20

2 x Wrtsil 4D1000 CLT

Trinidad & Tobago

Coast Guard

OPVs

2000

25

2 x Wrtsil 5C10

Venezuelan Coast Guard

BVLs

1500

22

2 x Wrtsil 5C09

Venezuelan Coast Guard

POVs

2350

24

2 x Wrtsil 5C11

2 x Wrtsil 4D710D

2 x Wrtsil 12V26

WRTSIL is a registered trademark. Copyright 2010 Wrtsil Corporation.

Wrtsil Ship Power, Navy

3 bd de la Loire BP 97511 44275 Nantes Cedex 2, France
Tel. +33 2 40 41 16 02, Fax +33 2 40 41 16 00, Email: wld@wartsila.com

WARTSILA.COM

2 x Wrtsil 5C08

2 x Wrtsil SCV61H61 2 x Wrtsil 5C08

2 x Wrtsil 4D650

2 x Wrtsil 4D775