Bow thrusters assist large ships and yachts in docking and leaving without tugboat assistance. They are usually powered by electric or hydraulic power and can cause a slight reduction in forward motion. Propellers must be kept clean and clear, and jet propulsion thrusters are becoming more common.
A bow thruster is a device used on large ships and yacht-sized vessels to assist in docking and leaving a dock without the assistance of a tugboat. The most common style of bow thruster is a propeller system that mounts to the lower bow area of the boat. Aimed from port to starboard, or left to right, the bow thruster is used to push the bow area of the ship away from the dock when leaving port and toward the dock when tying the ship to the dock. When the ship is stationary, the captain can direct the movement of the ship using the bow thruster, which can turn the ship without the help of forward motion.
When considering the addition of a bow thruster to a yacht or dinghy, usually too large to be towed, the first consideration is the method of powering the unit. Whether it is a forward mounted unit or a stern mounted unit, electric or hydraulic power is the most common. Electric power is the preferred method of powering a propeller, or lateral steering unit as it is commonly called. Many companies make thru-hull versions of the bow thruster, as well as externally mounted units, which mop up the water once the ship is on the plane.
A disadvantage of bow thruster is the slight reduction in forward motion it creates, causing a vessel to use more fuel to travel the same distance as a non-thruster-equipped vessel. The cost is often offset by the propellant’s ability to save on tug fees to dock at some ports. Another precaution for vessels equipped with a propeller is to keep propellants clean and clear. Contact with a muddy bottom in shallow ports can render the propeller inoperable or damaged. Frequent cleaning and inspection of the propeller and its housing is required while the ship is empty.
An empty ship often has its propellers visible or almost visible due to the reduced depth the ship sits in the water when unloaded. The propeller on most ships is marked with a white cross inside a red circle. This warns smaller ships to avoid this area of a larger ship’s hull to prevent damage from rough water. While most bow thruster designs involve the use of a propeller or impeller, some advances in jet propulsion thrusters have been made and are beginning to be used around the world.
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