Bow Thrusters / Tunnel Thrusters

Bow Thruster with Hydraulic Motor Platform

Bow Thruster with Oil Reservoir

Bow Thruster / Tunnel Thruster History
Harbormaster Marine was a pioneer in the development and application of Bow Thrusters / Tunnel Thrusters to commercial vessels. Initially used in the bows of ferries and tugs, these versatile control devices soon became popular in offshore oil servicing boats and larger ocean-going craft. They permit unassisted maneuvering alongside of oilrigs, vessels, loading platforms and docks - and provide precise control at slow speeds through locks, narrow channels and bridges. Today, Harbormaster Bow Thrusters / Tunnel Thrusters are found in applications all over the world where precision vessel control is needed.

In The Hull
The Harbormaster Tunnel Thruster is installed athwartship in a tunnel low down in the bow. Sometimes a second unit is installed in the stern. For dynamic positioning and station keeping, as many as five Harbormaster Tunnel Thrusters have been used in a single application. With 180° thrust --90° to either port or starboard -- the Tunnel Thruster gives added maneuverability and control for docking and slow-speed operations. Because the Harbormaster Tunnel Thruster is relatively small in its awthwartship dimension, it can be installed in a ship with fine entrance lines and can be located in the optimum position for maximum turning moment. Complete overhaul, maintenance and removal of the mechanism are often accomplished without dry-docking.

Bow / Stern Thruster Position

This BT-400 replaced an existing Tunnel Thruster. It has a custom length thruster with specially sized mounting/adaptor rings to greatly simplify the installation. Existing athwartship tubes can be used without the need to reposition them.

BT-400 Tunnel Thruster – Repower Special

Tunnel / Bow Thruster Adaptability
Harbormaster Marine manufactures the Bow Thruster / Tunnel Thruster with an input flange in either the vertical or the horizontal position. Customer-supplied power may be in the form of a diesel engine, gas turbine, electric motor or hydraulic motor. Four models cover a wide variety of HP and RPM ranges, with diameters from 36" to 120". Azimuth and through-the-hull thrusters are also available.

The Bow Thruster / Tunnel Thruster Package
The Harbormaster Bow Thruster / Tunnel Thruster consists of a cylindrical weldment, supporting near its center a right angle gear box with input shaft, coupling, and propeller shaft, and a Kaplan type propeller with blades working in close proximity to a corrosion and abrasion resistant wear ring. Forged steel shafts are mounted on tapered and straight roller bearings. Drive gears are case hardened, spiral bevels designed for shock resistance, long life and quietness. Complete drive mechanism lubrication is through a flooded system, the entire Bow Thruster / Tunnel Thruster gearbox running submerged in oil. The gearbox, connected to a gravity tank 10 feet above the load water line, is equipped with sight gauges to show the thrusters oil level and give visual proof of tightness of seals, which keep water out of the mechanism. Shaft seals are the positive face type and rarely need replacement.

Quality = Long Life
Bow Thrusters / Tunnel Thrusters are normally operated only for limited periods during docking and maneuvering, however we build them for rugged service by using many of the same components as our continuous-duty Harbormaster Outboard Drive Units. Helical-cut gear sets are constructed from steel forgings that are lapped and matched after grinding. This provides extra long life and reliability.

High Efficiency
Harbormaster fixed pitch, four blade Kaplan-type propeller, together with our efficient mechanical gear system, means low parasitic power losses from input to output - and the highest thrust in relation to tunnel diamete

Bow / Stern Thrusters Designed and Built to
Maintain High Thrust Over a Long Life

Forged steel gears and propeller shafts
Gear sets are lapped & matched
Abrasion & corrosion resistant tunnels
Tapered roller bearings
Precisely engineered shim sets
Special seals
Four-blade Manganese Bronze propeller

Extra heavy duty construction
Three-point pod support
Extra thick "chill rings" control distortion
Bronze components where required
Vertical or horizontal input shaft positions

Bow / Stern Thruster Engineering Data
Model	BT-200	BT-340	BT400	BT-550
Input RPM	1800-2100	1200-1400	1200-1400	1200
H.P. Range	150-200	250-350	350-400	500-550
A Dimension	13.5 in.	15.0 in.	15.5 in.	18.25 in.
B Dimension	36.7 in.	42.75 in.	49.0 in.	61.0 in.
C Dimension	26.5 in.	31.19 in.	31.19 in.	29.75 in.
D Dimension	33.25 in.	39.81 in.	39.81 in.	54.25 in.
E Dimension	42.63 in.	50.81 in.	50.81 in.	76.63 in.
NOTE: For other capacity Bow / Stern Thrusters, contact Harbormaster Marine, Inc.
To view additional Bow / Stern Thruster specifications, click on the Model link ABOVE.

Bow / Stern Thruster Installation Sketches

Home | History & Mission | Bow Thrusters | Outboard Drives | Application Photos | Parts & Service | Contact Us

Murray & Tregurtha marine propulsion parts bow thruster stern thrusters z-drive Barge drive ferryboat drives

Bedford Engines Carlin-America