Topic: Stabilisers and cost of fuel

In 1991 on a Carnival cruise we were told the ship was stabilised by using two very large, several tons each, gyroscopes spinning at very high speeds in opposite directions about a vertical axis. This allows free movement of the ship around the horizontal axis ie when turning, any movement in any other plane is counteracted by the gyroscope and therefore damped.
Any body else heard of this method of stabilisation?

Here's a link to wikipedia

Ship stability - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

QUOTE:

When I went on Balmoral to the Canaries in May it was pretty smooth even in rough seas, and Capt Sovdsnes told me he had been using the stabilisers all the way, which surprised me a bit as I thought they would create drag and use a lot of fuel.

Anyone know if that is the case?

Also, last year on IoTS you would have been hard pressed to know you were on a ship unless you looked out of the window as it was very smooth.

However, in June it was very, very bumpy even in the same force winds and a lot of people said they felt sick (I didn't - £3.95 seabands from all good chemists). The only difference seemed to be that on the cruise before mine, the fixipod was damaged on a sandbank and had to be removed so we were travelling on azipods.

I wondered if this meant we couldn't use the stabilisers or is it just that the fixipod creates stability?

And another thing..... we had barely docked back at So'ton before Whitchallenger was alongside refuelling so I wondered how much fuel IoTS holds and if it's enough for a full two-week cruise? How many miles to the gallon for a 160,000 tonne ship?

Thanks in advance to anyone who knows the answers!
Liz
x

Hi Liz.
When we sailed on the Discovery, Captain Eric was asked the same question and he told us that they do create drag and increase fuel consumption. But nearly all passenger/cruise vessels have them extended nowadays because of the litigious nature of society. If a passenger or crew member has been involved in an accident whilst at sea, the first question the insurers always ask is were the stabilisers extended, yes or no and if not, why not.
I think he used the phase 'duty of care'.

QUOTE:

In 1991 on a Carnival cruise we were told the ship was stabilised by using two very large, several tons each, gyroscopes spinning at very high speeds in opposite directions about a vertical axis. This allows free movement of the ship around the horizontal axis ie when turning, any movement in any other plane is counteracted by the gyroscope and therefore damped.
Any body else heard of this method of stabilisation?

Here's a link to wikipedia

Ship stability - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not actually heard of the gyro stabilizers,so dont know how efficient they are (are they still in operation?/).
Have sailed for many years with the fin stabs and also the FLUME tank system,but the best system is a few double rums before bed and then its rockabye baby.

jim

QUOTE:

Not actually heard of the gyro stabilizers,so dont know how efficient they are (are they still in operation?/).
Have sailed for many years with the fin stabs and also the FLUME tank system,but the best system is a few double rums before bed and then its rockabye baby.

jim

being doing a little research and cannot find any details of gyro stabs for modern ships(tho that does not mean there not any)
last i could find was about 1922.

jim

QUOTE:

Not actually heard of the gyro stabilizers,so dont know how efficient they are (are they still in operation?/).
Have sailed for many years with the fin stabs and also the FLUME tank system,but the best system is a few double rums before bed and then its rockabye baby.

jim

I like the double rum idea Jim. Here's some info about the gyro stabilizers http://www.seakeeper.com/files/onaroll.pdf not sure if that will post as a link.

When I started this thread I didn't realise how interesting it would become or how much I would learn. I would love to go down to the engine room next time I'm at sea but I guess I'll have to make do with looking at videos of it instead.

Thanks very much to everyone who is contributing.
Liz
x

QUOTE:

Hi Liz.
When we sailed on the Discovery, Captain Eric was asked the same question and he told us that they do create drag and increase fuel consumption. But nearly all passenger/cruise vessels have them extended nowadays because of the litigious nature of society. If a passenger or crew member has been involved in an accident whilst at sea, the first question the insurers always ask is were the stabilisers extended, yes or no and if not, why not.
I think he used the phase 'duty of care'.

Interesting. I always thought they were only deployed when the sea was rough. Wonder how long it will take to replace the damaged fixipod on IoTS? It went off on a lorry somewhere on the cruise before ours. Maybe when it's repaired it just bolts back on easily. I would like to see that.
Liz
x

QUOTE:

I like the double rum idea Jim. Here's some info about the gyro stabilizers http://www.seakeeper.com/files/onaroll.pdf not sure if that will post as a link.

When I started this thread I didn't realise how interesting it would become or how much I would learn. I would love to go down to the engine room next time I'm at sea but I guess I'll have to make do with looking at videos of it instead.

Thanks very much to everyone who is contributing.
Liz
x

Liz,
thanks for that very interesting article,shook up a few of the old grey cells trying to remember what used to be bashed into us re gyroscope theory,
Dont think that i will see the idea floated in big ships during my lifetime9tho they said that about space travel.

jim

Stabilisers only control the ship's rolling. They've still to invent a method of controlling the ship's pitching (or rocking as some on this forum incorrectly call it).
If you are unfortunate and suffer from Mal de Mare, the most suitable accommodation is a lower deck inside cabin, amidships.
Oh and always have a bed laying fore & aft, not across the beam.

If your wife suffers from this condition, try this cure.
1. If winter, give her some stew or if summer an oily salad before you sail.
2. When she starts feeling queasy, make her violently sick.
3. Now she'll want to take to her bed. NO WAY JOSE. Instead, make her drink a pint of ice cold water (it will help settle her stomach).
4. Now drag her onto the promenade deck and walk her round it regardless of the weather or her pleading (let her see the horizon and full her lungs with fresh air). 'Tough love'
When she's cured she'll thank you for it. After all, you don't want anything to spoil her cruise do you.

QUOTE:

Stabilizers only control the ship's rolling. They've still to invent a method of controlling the ship's pitching (or rocking as some on this forum incorrectly call it).
If you are unfortunate and suffer from Mal de Mare, the most suitable accommodation is a lower deck inside cabin, amidships.
Oh and always have a bed laying fore & aft, not across the beam.

If your wife suffers from this condition, try this cure.
1. If winter, give her some stew or if summer an oily salad before you sail.
2. When she starts feeling queasy, make her violently sick.
3. Now she'll want to take to her bed. NO WAY JOSE. Instead, make her drink a pint of ice cold water (it will help settle her stomach).
4. Now drag her onto the promenade deck and walk her round it regardless of the weather or her pleading (let her see the horizon and full her lungs with fresh air). 'Tough love'
When she's cured she'll thank you for it. After all, you don't want anything to spoil her cruise do you.

Have you ever tried to get your wife to do something she is opposed to.. NO WAY JOSE as you will still hear the voice regardless if she is cured or not.

Ginger candy helps or a stiff drink down in the WheelHouse bar sitting on a leather sofa with refills available by waving your hand.
:D

QUOTE:

Stabilisers only control the ship's rolling. They've still to invent a method of controlling the ship's pitching (or rocking as some on this forum incorrectly call it).
If you are unfortunate and suffer from Mal de Mare, the most suitable accommodation is a lower deck inside cabin, amidships.
Oh and always have a bed laying fore & aft, not across the beam.

If your wife suffers from this condition, try this cure.
1. If winter, give her some stew or if summer an oily salad before you sail.
2. When she starts feeling queasy, make her violently sick.
3. Now she'll want to take to her bed. NO WAY JOSE. Instead, make her drink a pint of ice cold water (it will help settle her stomach).
4. Now drag her onto the promenade deck and walk her round it regardless of the weather or her pleading (let her see the horizon and full her lungs with fresh air). 'Tough love'
When she's cured she'll thank you for it. After all, you don't want anything to spoil her cruise do you.

That's exactly what a gyroscope would do, correct both roll and pitch.


Pete