It’s time to turn our attention to a project that we are especially excited about: our electric davit based on completely new technology. We are currently building a prototype that will be presented in September in time for the SMM, the leading international maritime trade fair in Hamburg. What better platform could there be for us to underline our status as a true industry innovator?
To find out why there is a demand for electric deck equipment, we sat down for a chat with Trond Paulsen, our Technical Sales Director of the Boats and Davits Product Division. “Apart from all the aforementioned advantages of electric solutions, the new electric davit will boast a totally enclosed design, meaning that all vital components are protected. Generally, electric power makes it possible to use smaller, lighter and more cost-efficient components,” Trond explains.
Now some may argue that traditional lifeboat winches were already electric. He, however, adds: “These were either equipped with a centrifugal break or electric hoisting with a fully enclosed hydraulic lowering system. We are proud to reveal that PALFINGER MARINE is about to be the first company to use magnetic breaks for its lifeboat winches. While centrifugal breaks are especially high-maintenance, our new magnetic breaks suff er almost no wear-and-tear. This is due to the fact that the magnets governing the speed of the lifeboats don’t touch each other at all. Yet another innovation is a rack system to deploy and move the davit itself. It replaces the old cylinder system. Now an electric
motor on a pinion wheel moves up and down the rack.”
SAFE, SIMPLE AND EASY TO IMPLEMENT IN EXISTING DAVIT SYSTEMS
The great advantage of this new technology is that all its components can be implemented in our existing davit systems. We could therefore, for instance, quite easily “electrify” all of our NPDS models. Furthermore, it allows us to experiment with different and new davit production materials such as glass reinforced plastic (GRP) and carbon fi bres to make the structure of the davit lighter as a whole.
Trond is eager to point out that the electric davit is safe and simple, as are all electric PALFINGER MARINE products. He gushes: “The lack of complex hydraulic systems and pipes subjected to wind and weather mean that the new electric davit harbours less spillage risk and is much easier to maintain. After all, it’s easier to service one electric motor attached directly to the winch than an electric motor on the power pack and a hydraulic one on the winch. It is also simpler to fi nd, diagnose, and fix problems. Our engineers, who no longer need special hydraulic skills, now merely need to plug the diagnostics tool into the electric davit to see what needs to be done.”
INCREASING DEMAND FOR ELECTRIC DAVIT SYSTEMS
Alex Schouten, Sales Director of the Boats and Davits Product Division, confirms: “There is substantial demand for electric davit systems in all segments. Many clients are keen on an electric davit alternative to the systems operated by hydraulic- or gravity-based solutions.
THE TREND TO ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT IS MAINLY DRIVEN BY THE DESIRE TO HAVE FEWER CRITICAL ELEMENTS.
Being able to focus crew skills in terms of operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting on electric know-how is a real plus. Furthermore, recent technological advancements of electric drive systems and battery packs have promoted the trend, thus making such solutions more attractive.”
All in all, it is safe to say that PALFINGER MARINE is once again leading the way in terms of off ering its customers innovative, future-oriented, and practical products. We are looking forward to presenting our newest developments to a broader audience. See you at the SMM!