Gas Turbine Ferries: An Update

The use of gas turbines in propulsion systems of ferryboats represents the highest rate of operating time buildup of any marine propulsion application. This paper will review the history of three such ferry operations which have accrued significant time at sea. Particular attention will be given the problems encountered, their solution and status at the time of this paper’s writing. Earlier papers have discussed the details of installation and sea trials of the San Francisco Ferries, the Sedam ferries and the Westamarin ferries. Sufficient time has passed so that an update seems appropriate covering problems that high usage marine installations have brought to light. The three vessels, although all ferries, ply trade routes which impose significantly different engine operation scenarios. Further, the craft themselves, to a certain extent, require control features which impose different engine operating characteristics.