Voith Turbo

Voith Water Tractor Maneuver Manual

Captain Yves Le Chevalier, Olaf Radike Naval Architect

Introduction Voith Water Tractor:
Revolution in Shiphandling

Introduction True VWT configuration

Note that due to the forward VSP the
VWT is steered by moving the bow.

The Voith Water Tractor The True Tractor The introduction of such tractor
Maneuver Manual is an edu- Configuration tugs, generally known as Voith
cational tool mainly intended Water Tractors, with their free
for tug masters to explain the In the early 1950’s the German running speeds of up to 15 knots
principles of ship handling company Voith developed the Voith and bollard pulls of up to 100 tons,
and maneuvering. Water Tractor concept in response has revolutionized worldwide ship-
to tug losses through girting and handling in respect to safety and
It describes the various pos- being overrun under a ship’s bow. efficiency.
sibilities for safe and effective
use of a Voith Water Tractor. The fundamental innovation was
that the Voith Schneider Propellers
were arranged forward and the
towing point aft of the tug’s pivot
point to avoid the unstable equilib-
rium of forces existing on conven-
tional as well as on ASD tugs on
which both the towing point and
the propulsion are aft.

When mane uvering a VWT with

bow-positioned VSPs, the most
noticeable difference is that it
steers into a turn rather than the
stern swinging outside the turning
circle as is the case with stern-
propelled vessels.
Concept

4 1
2
3

VWT key components

Logical arrangement of the assistance for the tow. The skeg 6. The VWT is operated from the
VWT key components shifts the center of lateral resis- control stand in the wheelhouse.
tance aft, thus increasing lever- Depending on the vessel size
1. The VSPs are located in the age between propeller thrust and one or several synchronized
foreship, with free inflow and pivot point. It also ensures ade- control stands may be used. The
outflow in all directions. The quate course stability when steering system is usually con-
thrust forces act ahead of the running either bow or skeg first. nected mechanically to the
tug’s axis of rotation. propellers to permit direct con-
5. The towing gear (staple and trol of the system and avoid the
2. A protective guard is fitted winch) is located aft of the ves- risk of steering system failure.
underneath the propellers. It sel’s centre of rotation (pivot The CAN bus-controlled electri-
creates a nozzle effect which point). cal steering system developed
increases the propeller thrust. In together with the Bosch Rexroth
addition the guard protects the Group provides the highest
propeller blades against running safety standard.
aground and supports the vessel
when docking. The Voith Water Tractor is a
functional vessel with integrated
3. The hull is an integrated part of Voith Schneider Propellers (VSP).
the system, creating lift for the
indirect steering and ensuring
low resistance in transit.

4. A skeg, which is shaped to maxi-

mize the lifting forces, is located
below the aft body and provides
effective steering and braking
2
3
Voith Water Tractor:
Sensitive Thrust Control in any Direction

Propellers with control rods in machinery room Split-type steering console

Thrust vector diagram All this is accomplished with mini- The thrust is controlled according
mum expenditure of time and to the Cartesian coordinates:
Voith Water Tractors utilize the ensuring maximum safety for the The pitch levers control the magni-
unique cycloidal propulsion system escorted/towed vessel, the assist- tude of longitudinal thrust and the
(Voith Schneider Propeller), repre- ing tractor(s), their crews, and the wheel controls the magnitude of
senting state-of-the-art technology port facilities. With its cycloidal transversal thrust.
in shiphandling. propulsion system the Voith Water
Voith Water Tractors escort tankers Tractor can thrust directly in any
and assist ships and tows in and direction without any undesired
out of harbors and waterways and steering moment. It allows the
into and out of docks and berths. maneuvering of large vessels into
confined channels and docks with
optimum utilization of power and
thrust.
 Use of wheel and pitch levers

10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10
100% Fig. 1: With both pitch levers
pitch levers full ahead or astern set to full ahead (pitch 10),
10 the wheel changes the
8 wheel at “zero”
6 thrust ahead (astern) = 100 % direction of thrust.
4 transverse thrust = 0%
2 50
0 This means that with the
2 pitch levers set to full ahead
4 or astern and the wheel set
6
8 to zero the thrust ahead
Fig. 1 10 (astern) is 100%. The trans-
0
verse thrust is 0%.
100% 50 0 50 100%

10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10
100% Fig. 2: With the pitch levers
pitch levers full ahead (astern) set to full ahead (astern) and
10 the wheel set to approx. 5
8 wheel approx. 5 port (starboard)
6 thrust ahead (astern) port (starboard), the thrust
4 approx. 55 % ahead (astern) is approx.
2 50
transverse thrust approx. 45 % 55%, the transverse thrust is
0
2 approx. 45%.
4
6
8
Fig. 2 10
0
100% 50 0 50 100%

10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10
100% Fig. 3: With the pitch levers
pitch levers full ahead (astern) set to full ahead (10) (astern)
10
8 wheel at 10 port (starboard) and the wheel set to 10 port
6 thrust ahead (astern) = 25 % (starboard), the thrust ahead
4 transverse thrust 75 % (astern) is 25% and the
2 50
0 transverse thrust is 75%.
2
4
6
8
Fig. 3 10
0
100% 50 0 50 100%

10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10
100% Fig. 4: With pitch levers set
pitch levers at zero to zero and the wheel set to
10 10 port (starboard), the resul-
8 wheel at 10 port (starboard)
6 thrust ahead (astern) = 0% ting thrust to the side is 100%.
4 transverse thrust 100%
2 50
Lateral transition is generally
0
2 done using the wheel which
4 overrides longitudinal thrust.
6
8
Fig. 4 10
0
100% 50 0 50 100%

4
5
Tractor Manouvers

Example
rpm pitch 10 pitch 8
free running pulling
1000 14.2 knots 50 tons
950 13.5 knots 45 tons
900 12.8 knots 40 tons
800 11.4 knots 32 tons
700 10.0 knots 25 tons
600 8.5 knots 18 tons

Control system

1. Tractor at work The pitch restrictor must not be To avoid engine overload during
applied for free running pulling and pushing, the pitch
Pitch restriction must be applied for In the event of the engine becoming restrictor, located on the control
all towing operations. overloaded, the engine speed will stand, must be engaged.
drop and the tugmaster must
The tugmaster must control the reduce the wheel and/or lever Engine overload will be indicated by:
engine speed in such a way as to settings. 䡲 overload warning lights flashing
ensure that the safety of the tug at 110% power
and crew is not endangered. Pitch settings 䡲 acoustic alarm on the VSP control
Max. pitch pushing about 9 stand.
The speed settings must be done in Max. pitch pulling about 8
accordance with the requirements Max. pitch free running about 10 In the event of an overload alarm
of the towing operation. simply reduce the pitch until alarm
Causes of engine overload switches off and subsequently
Max. engine rpm about 100% 1. Wheel and/or pitch lever setting increase pitch again.
Min. operating rpm about 60% changed too fast.
Idle or stand-by rpm about 40% 2. Maneuvering without pitch
restriction, 10 ahead, 10 astern.
3. Retarding vessel with pitch
levers set too high.
4. Pulling with pitch settings
greater than 8.
5. Pushing with pitch settings
than 9.
 10

10
10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10

8
6
4
2
0
2
4
6
8
10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10
10

10
8
6
4
2
0
2
4
6
8

Wheel moves the bow Pitch levers move the stern

Remark: 4. Crash stop Note:

Some Voith Water Tractors are If a rope or any other obstruction is
specially designed for high speed a) Standard: picked up by a propeller, the emer-
escorting. These VWTs are of the VSP- or Fin first: Pull the levers gency stop of the respective engine
Fin First Design (Fin first), i. e. the steadily to pitch 6 of opposite must be actuated immediately.
fin (skeg) side is the bow and the direction and slowly increase if
free sailing is done fin first. The necessary. Make sure wheel is
standard VWTs have the VSPs in set to “0”.
the bow (VSP first), the free sailing b) Enhanced:
is generally done VSP first. The VSP- or Fin first: Pull levers from
descriptions “VSP first” and “Fin 10 to 0 and turn the wheel hard
first” describe the starting course over to port (starboard) in order
for the maneuvers. to stop the VWT at a right angle
to its course. The remaining
2. Running ahead (VSP first) headway (sternway) is stopped
by putting the pitch levers astern
Stay behind the wheel for this (ahead).
operation direction. For a right/left
turn of the tractor turn the wheel to Note:
the right/left. Crash stops as per 4.a) (levers only)
result in a VWT stopping distance
3. Running astern (Fin first) of approx. 1 x shiplength. Crash
stops as per 4.b) result in a VWT
Stay behind the wheel for this stopping distance of approx. 0.5 x
operation direction. For a right/left shiplength.
turn of the tractor turn the wheel to
Enhanced crash stop
the right/left.
6
7
 position 1

position 2

position 3

a) Casting off / Unberthing in unrestricted space b) Casting off / Unberthing in restricted space, VSP first

5. Casting off b) In restricted space VSP first: c) In restricted space sideways:

First open the stern (pos 1) about When casting off to port with the
a) In unrestricted space VSP first. 1 meter from the quay and then VWT in very restricted space, set
Turn the wheel in the direction to turn the wheel in the direction to the outside lever forward, the
sheer off. At the same time push sheer off (pos 2). Set the pitch inshore lever aft and the wheel to
the port (starboard) lever ahead. levers forward (pos 3). port. The turning moment (move-
ment) produced by the opposite
action of the two propellers is
compensated by the action of
the wheel. The vessel moves
sideways. Also refer to “Coming
alongside in restricted space
sideways”.

c) Casting off/Unberthing sideways in

restricted space
 position 2

position 3

position 1

a) Berthing Fin first, b) Berthing VSP first, c) Berthing sideways

restricted/unrestricted space unrestricted space

6. Coming alongside b) In unrestricted space VSP first: c) In restricted space sideways:

Starting from position 1: Turn the In a confined space and with
a) In unrestricted or restricted space. wheel to port and hold off the twin propellers “crabbing” can
Fin first: Starting from position 1: bow just before touching the be used. The inshore propeller is
Run Fin first with wheel at “0”, quay. The VWT must come set ahead, the outside propeller
two hands at levers. alongside at a higher speed than astern and the wheel turned
Control the fin-side position with a stern-propelled craft. With towards the bank until the vessel
the levers in order to berth fin insufficient speed the holding off traverses. As a result of the
first without speed (pos 2). the bow may reduce the forward nozzle effect of the propeller
Hold the fin-side on position, motion excessively and thus protection plate, the thrust of the
make fast aft that side and turn prevent the VWT from reaching propeller working astern is slight-
wheel to come alongside (pos 3). the quay. The remaining head- ly smaller than the thrust of the
way is stopped by putting the ahead propeller so that the pitch
pitch levers astern. of the latter should be set lower.
Also refer to “Casting off in
restricted space sideways”.

Berthing Fin first,

restricted /unrestricted space
8
9
Making Fast Forward

1 Approach VSP first 2+ 3 Hold position parallel to the vessel, same speed same
course, pitch ahead about 7 to take heaving line

7. Making fast forward

center lead

1 Approach the ship VSP first

(pos 1).

This way the propellers work in

free water, without being
affected by turbulences from
the bow wave of the incoming
ship and the ship can be over-
taken without any risk.

2+3 Check speed and determine

fairlead selection. The VWT
should be able to hold the
same speed as the ship at a
pitch of about 7 (pos 2).
4
3
3 Take heaving line. When taking
1 2 the ship’s rope a 4 m long boat
hook may be required (pos 3).

Approaching the vessel, not too close to the hull in order to avoid the
turbulences and steer in good conditions
 4

4+ 5 Making fast forward, final position

4+5 Move further away from the

ship, make fast the tow line
and adjust the length of the
line ready for pulling (pos 4).

5 Take position awaiting orders

from pilot. Pull to left or right
as ordered (pos 5).

10
11
Making Fast Aft

Do not let the tractor’s stern pass the transom

8. Making fast aft center lead c) Hold position, take the heaving Note:
line and make fast. (Do not let If the towline is dropped into the
Approaching the ship with skeg first. the tractor’s stern pass the water, the propellers must be kept
transom). clear of it by steering away from the
a) Decide on fairlead section. d) Run astern with a light pull on rope immediately.
b) Be aware of propeller wash and the rope. Steer with the wheel,
make sure that the VWT is kept but avoid rapid movement on the This may occur both when making
on a parallel course to the ship. wheel. fast or letting go.
To achieve this use a combination
of pitch levers and wheel. The VWT escorts the vessel and is
ready for steering or braking assis-
tance.

a+ b c d
Active and Passive Escorting/Steering Assistance

a) Pulling direct mode approx. 0-5 knots b) Pulling indirect mode approx. 3-15 knots

9. Steering assistance not attack at staple but at the Escort Forces in indirect mode
fair-lead in the bulwark more
Example for SF certified on a 68 t
The VWT acts like an external power for the positioning is BP Fin First VWT
rudder for the escorted vessel. required. Tug speed (kn) SF (t)
If the heeling moment becomes 6 90
a) At ship speeds below 3-5 knots, too large, always turn the tractor 8 125
use the direct method. in line with the towrope. 10 148
At speeds of about 9 knots it is 12 160
b) When the ship speed is 3 knots possible to double the bollard 15 170
or higher use the indirect meth- pull forces. These forces are
od. Sheer the stern using pitch called SF (Steering Forces).
levers and wheel. If the line does

Direct – Indirect –
0-5 kn ~3-15 kn

BF (Breaking Force)

~3-15 kn

SF (Steering Force)

b) a)
b)

12
13
Braking Assistance

Ship’s speed around 5 knots

Braking assistance, Maneuver A Braking assistance, Maneuver B

10. Braking assistance Maneuver B

Hold position, using levers and
Maneuver A wheel so that the tractor is at a
When braking forces are ordered, right angle to the ship’s course and
stay in line behind the ship, using the tow line is in same axis as the
pitch levers and a minimum of vessel in order to reduce the speed.
wheel. Pitch levers must be adjust-
ed according to ship’s speed to This special maneuver can be
avoid engine overload. employed, if the pilot wants to have
a light pull on the line.
In the case of passive escorting in
the tethered mode at higher speeds
and longer distances the towline
should be guided at the farthest
end i.e. through fairlead or retract-
able pins.

Active Escorting
Push – Pull Operation

Push / Pull Forward Push / Pull Aft Come alongside the quarter.
When the rope has tightened,
pivot the VWT and push.

1 – Fast forward / aft: – Come alongside the quarter /

Changing position to come shoulder. When the rope has
alongside for pushing tightened, pivot the tractor and
push.
Forward:
Up to a speed of about 2 knots: Use the winch line to adjust the
– Move the stern of the tractor out length of the rope for pulling or
in order to obtain a parallel pushing.
course to the ship.
– Keep the rope clear (tractor with Aft:
winch picks up the slack). Select lead left or right of centre
lead.

Pull Forward Push Forward

14
15
 2
1
3

Coming in alongside on the shoulder Fin first

2 – Coming in alongside forward Position 2 Note:

on the shoulder or on the quarter – Stay parallel to ship. Use pitch If the towline is dropped into the
to push/pull levers and wheel (no more than water accidentally or on purpose,
wheel pitch 2). Make final the propellers must be kept clear of
a) Forward on the shoulder VSP approach. Have both hands on it by steering away from the rope
first or Fin first: pitch levers and, if necessary, immediately.
use one hand on wheel to assist
Position 1 screwing effect. When working push-pull on the
– Decide on the landing position Position 3 shoulder or quarter, do not work
(Note: flare and tumblehome). – Once the stern has landed, use with the towline too short.
– Check ship’s speed (ship’s speed wheel to hold stern alongside,
must be 5 knots or less). make fast and await pilot’s order.

Ship’s speed around 5 knots

Coming in alongside on the shoulder

 2
3 1
4

b) Aft on the quarter VSP first is Position 3

recommended: – Make fast aft.
Position 4
Position 1 – Follow the ship and wait pilot’s
– Select lead not too close to the order.
propeller and aft flare in order to
push safely. Remark:
Position 2 When handling small vessels, the
– Check ship’s speed (ship’s pilot may want the VWT to escort
speed must be 5 knots or less) the ship without touching the hull,
and approach parallel to ship. only ready for pulling / pushing.

Pushing forward Pulling forward Pull /Push alongside on the shoulder

and the quarter
16
17
Recommendations for Making Fast a Container Ship

Ship’s speed around 6/7 knots

Remark: The VWT is used for pulling/push-

On container ships and some other ing during docking or unberthing
new vessels, the fairlead is not operations.
located exactly on the transom
stern but close to the propeller and For passing the heaving line (pic-
the stern flare. tures 1, 2 and 3) and when the VWT
is following the vessel (picture 4)
This is a hazardous area due to the the VWT must always be held in
low pressure, created by the screw position behind the transom stern
propeller when the ship is running of the vessel, in order to remain
ahead. clear of the ship’s propeller and
stern flare.

Picture 1 Picture 2
 Ship’s speed around 6 knots

Remark:
If the VWT uses the ship’s line, sail
VSP first, connect the tow line and
then escort the vessel ready for
pulling/pushing.

When taking ship’s rope a 4m long

boat hook is required. For pushing
the ship’s speed must be reduced
to 2 knots.

Picture 3 Picture 4

18
19
 Ship’s speed around 5 knots or less

Pushing under way

For safe and efficient pushing, the To let go when the ship is getting
ship’s speed must be around 5 underway the VWT must sail VSP
knots or less. Use the hydrodynam- first in order to have the towline
ic force of the skeg to push with clear of the VSPs and to move off
little power of propulsion system. the vessel safely.

Letting go
 Berthing

11. Berthing

Once in position, use pushing and

pulling to berth the ship, according
to pilot’s request.

20
21
Turning

Pulling off/Turning

12. Pulling off 13. Turning maneuver

The winch must be used to vary the For the turning maneuver bow and
towline length to suit the changing stern tug stay in position. Stay clear
needs of the complete operation. of the line and flares and await
The towline must not be too short. orders from pilot. Adapt the bollard
pull according to the requested rate
of turn.

Turning maneuver
Lashing

Lashing

14. Lashing up alongside 15. Lashing up for Lash or Once the pilot is on board, turn the
Seabee barge handling wheel to port (starboard) in order to
This way of working is used for open the bow and take off from the
moving dead warships or barges. Pilot boat operation ship.
To lash up alongside it is recom- To embark or disembark the pilot:
mended to use wire ropes with the Come alongside, VSP first. Using
winches (towing winch and forward the wheel and levers hold the posi-
winch). tion in order to embark/disembark
the pilot.

Pilot boat operation

22
23
Voith Turbo Schneider
Propulsion GmbH & Co. KG
P.O. Box 2011
89510 Heidenheim, Germany
Tel. +49 7321 37-6595
Fax +49 7321 37-7105
vspmarine@voith.com
www.voithturbo.com/marine

G 2031 e 12.2007 5000 MSW/WA Dimensions and illustrations non-commital. Subject to change without notice.