Innovative Italian gyroscopic stabiliser performs "well" aboard the passenger vessel 'Cinque Terre'
A gyroscopic stabiliser has been installed on the 31 metre passenger vessel 'Cinque Terre', a vessel belonging to Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti of La Spezia (The Maritime Consortium of the Gulf of Poets).
The "MC2 Extralarge" stabiliser was produced entirely in Italy by Turin-based firm Item Mare (Turin) and in conjunction with Genoa-based Ranieri Tonissi.
A type of stabiliser particulary suited to high performance operations, the model is characterised by a lack of external appendices on the hull and demonstrated effectiveness when the vessel is stationary. This is especially beneficial for a passenger vessel, particularly when passengers or goods are required to embark/disembark in an unprotected zone.
The gyroscopic stabiliser is a simple, compact and reliable system that exploits the physical principle that a rotating mass provides greater opposition than an external force seeking to divert the trajectory. All adjustments are done electronically and the result is a "snapshot of the boat buoyancy correction."
This model of stabiliser weighs 960 kilograms, with encumbrances of one cubic metre. When in operation, on board power of at least 7.5kW is required.
Constructed of FRP, the 'Cinque Terre' was built in 2003. Received positively by the crew, the 'Cinque Terre' has been performing well, particularly while at a standstill at wharves and during embarking/disembarking and loading/unloading operations.
Stefano Fermi