Pt C, Ch 1, Sec 12
SECTION 12 THRUSTERS
1 General
1.1 Application
1.1.1 Thrusters developing power equal to 110 kW
or more
The requirements of this Section apply to the following types
of thrusters developing power equal to 110 kW or more:
• transverse thrusters intended for manoeuvring
• thrusters intended for propulsion and steering.
For azimuth thrusters intended for dynamic positioning, the
additional requirements in Part E, Chapter 4 are to be com-
plied with.
Thrusters intended for propulsion and steering of ships with
an ice class notation are to comply with the additional
requirements of Part E, Chapter 8. Transverse thrusters
intended for manoeuvring of ships with an ice class nota-
tion are required to comply with additional requirement Pt
E, Ch 8, Sec 3, [2.4.1] only.
1.1.2 Thrusters developing power less than 110 kW
Thrusters of less than 110 kW are to be built in accordance
with sound marine practice and tested as required in [3.2]
to the satisfaction of the Surveyor.
1.2 Definitions
1.2.1 Thruster
A thruster is a propeller installed in a revolving nozzle or in a
special transverse tunnel in the ship, or a water-jet. A thruster
may be intended for propulsion, manoeuvring and steering or
any combination thereof. Propulsion propellers in fixed noz-
zles are not considered thrusters (see Ch 1, Sec 8, [1.1.1]).
1.2.2 Transverse thruster
A transverse thruster is an athwartship thruster developing a
thrust in a transverse direction for manoeuvring purposes.
1.2.3 Azimuth thruster
An azimuth thruster is a thruster which has the capability to
rotate through 360° in order to develop thrust in any direc-
tion.
1.2.4 Water-jet
A water-jet is equipment constituted by a tubular casing (or
duct) enclosing an impeller. The shape of the casing is such
as to enable the impeller to produce a water-jet of such
intensity as to give a positive thrust. Water-jets may have
means for deviating the jet of water in order to provide a
steering function.
220
1.3 Thrusters intended for propulsion
1.3.1 In general, at least two azimuth thrusters are to be fit-
ted in ships where these are the sole means of propulsion.
Single azimuth thruster installations will be specially con-
sidered by the Society on a case by case basis.
This requirement also applies to water-jets.
1.4 Documentation to be submitted
1.4.1 Plans to be submitted for athwartship
thrusters and azimuth thrusters
For thrusters developing power equal to 110 kW or more,
the plans listed in Tab 1 are to be submitted.
1.4.2 Plans to be submitted for water-jets
The plans listed in Tab 2 are to be submitted.
1.4.3 Additional data to be submitted
The data and documents listed in Tab 3 are to be submitted
by the manufacturer together with the plans.
2 Design and Construction
2.1 Materials
2.1.1 Propellers
For requirements relative to material intended for propel-
lers, see Ch 1, Sec 8, [2.1.1].
2.1.2 Other thruster components
For the requirements relative to materials intended for other
parts of the thrusters, such as gears, shaft, couplings, etc.,
refer to the applicable parts of the Rules.
2.2 Transverse thrusters and azimuth
thrusters
2.2.1 Prime movers
a) Diesel engines intended for driving thrusters are to com-
ply with the applicable requirements of Ch 1, Sec 2.
b) Electric motors intended for driving thrusters and their
feeding systems are to comply with the requirements of
Ch 2, Sec 4. In particular:
• provisions are to be made to prevent starting of the
motors whenever there are insufficient generators in
operation
• intermittent duty thrusters will be the subject of spe-
cial consideration by the Society.
Bureau Veritas April 2007
 Pt C, Ch 1, Sec 12

2.2.2 Propellers although the increase in thickness of 10% does not need
a) For propellers of thrusters intended for propulsion, the to be applied.
requirements of Ch 1, Sec 8, [2.5] apply.
b) For propellers of thrusters intended for manoeuvring
only, the requirements of Ch 1, Sec 8, [2.5] also apply,

Table 1 : Plans to be submitted for athwartship thrusters and azimuth thrusters

No A/I (1) ITEM

General requirements for all thrusters
1 I General arrangement of the thruster
2 A Propeller, including the applicable details mentioned in Ch 1, Sec 8
3 A Bearing details
4 A Propeller and intermediate shafts
5 A Gears, including the applicable details mentioned in Ch 1, Sec 6
Specific requirements for transverse thrusters
6 A Structure of the tunnel showing the materials and their thickness
7 A Structural equipment or other connecting devices which transmit the thrust from the propeller to
the tunnel
8 A Sealing devices (propeller shaft gland and thruster-tunnel connection)
9 A For the adjustable pitch propellers: pitch control device and corresponding monitoring system
Specific requirements for rotating and azimuth thrusters
10 A Structural items (nozzle, bracing, etc.)
11 A Structural connection to hull
12 A Rotating mechanism of the thruster
13 A Thruster control system
14 A Piping systems connected to thruster
(1) A = to be submitted for approval in four copies
I = to be submitted for information in duplicate

Table 2 : Plans to be submitted for water-jets

No A/I (1) ITEM

1 I General arrangement of the water-jet
2 A Casing (duct) (location and shape) showing the materials and the thicknesses as well as the forces acting on the
hull
3 A Details of the shafts, flanges, keys
4 I Sealing gland
5 A Bearings
6 A Impeller
7 A Steering and reversing buckets and their control devices as well as the corresponding hydraulic diagrams
(1) A = to be submitted for approval in four copies
I = to be submitted for information in duplicate

Table 3 : Data and documents to be submitted for athwartship thrusters, azimuth thrusters and water-jets

No A/I (1) ITEM

1 I Rated power and revolutions
2 I Rated thrust
3 A Material specifications of the major parts, including their physical, chemical and mechanical properties

April 2007 Bureau Veritas 221

Pt C, Ch 1, Sec 12

No A/I (1) ITEM

4 A Where parts of thrusters are of welded construction, all particulars on the design of welded joints, welding
procedures, heat treatments and non-destructive examinations after welding
5 I Where applicable, background information on previous operating experience in similar applications
(1) A = to be submitted for approval in four copies
I = to be submitted for information in duplicate

2.2.3 Shafts 2.2.5 Nozzles and connections to hull for azimuth

thrusters
a) For propeller shafts of thrusters intended for propulsion,
the requirements of Ch 1, Sec 7, [2.2.3] apply. a) For the requirements relative to the nozzle structure, see
Part B, Chapter 10.
b) For propellers of thrusters intended for manoeuvring
only, the minimum diameter dS of the shaft, in mm, is b) The scantlings of the nozzle connection to the hull and
the welding type and size will be specially considered
not to be less than the value obtained by the following
by the Society, which reserves the right to require
formula:
detailed stress analysis in the case of certain high power
1/3
1 installations.
d S = [ ( C ⋅ MT ) 2 + ( D ⋅ M ) 2 ] 1 / 6 ⋅  ----------------4
1 – Q 
c) For steerable thrusters, the equivalent rudder stock
where: diameter is to be calculated in accordance with the
requirements of Part B, Chapter 10.
MT : Maximum transmitted torque, in N⋅m;
where not indicated, MT may be assumed as 2.2.6 Transverse thruster tunnel
9550 (P/N) a) The thickness of the tunnel is not to be less than the
where: adjacent part of the hull.
P : Maximum power of the thruster b) Special consideration will be given by the Society to
prime mover, in kW tunnels connected to the hull by connecting devices
other than welding.
N : Rotational speed of the propel-
ler, in rev/min 2.2.7 Electrical supply for steerable thrusters
M : Bending moment, in N⋅m, at the shaft sec- The generating and distribution system is to be designed in
tion under consideration such a way that the steering capability of the thruster can be
maintained or regained within a period of 45 seconds, in
C : Coefficient equal to:
the event of single failure of the system, and that the effec-
28000 tiveness of the steering capability is not reduced by more
C = 10 ,2 + ----------------
R S ,M IN than 50% under such conditions. Details of the means pro-
vided for this purpose are to be submitted to the Society.
D : Coefficient equal to:
170000 2.3 Water-jets
D = ------------------------------
412 + R S ,M IN

RS,MIN : Minimum yield strength of the shaft mate- 2.3.1 Shafts

rial, in N/mm2 The diameter of the shaft supporting the impeller is not to
be less than the diameter d2, in mm, obtained by the follow-
Q : 0 for solid shafts ing formula:
The ratio between the diameter of the hole 1⁄3
P 1/3 1
and the external diameter of the shaft, in the d 2 = 100 fh ⋅  ---- ⋅  ---------------4-
N 1–Q
case of hollow shafts. If Q ≤ 0,3, Q may be
assumed equal to 0. where:
The above diameter is to be increased by 10% in the case of P : Power, in kW
keyed connection to the propeller in way of key. N: : Rotational speed, in rpm
f : Calculated as follows:
2.2.4 Gears
1/3
560 
 ----------------------
a) Gears of thrusters intended for propulsion are to be in f = -
 R m + 160
accordance with the applicable requirements of Ch 1,
Sec 6, applying the safety factors for propulsion gears. where Rm is the ultimate tensile strength of the
b) Gears of thrusters intended for manoeuvring only are to shaft material, in N/mm2
be in accordance with the applicable requirements of h: : • h = 1 when the shaft is only transmitting
Ch 1, Sec 6, applying the safety factors for auxiliary torque loads, and when the weight and
gears. thrust of the propeller are totally supported

222 Bureau Veritas April 2007


by devices located in the fixed part of the
thruster
• h = 1,22 where the impeller is fitted with
key or shrink-fitted.
Q : 0 for solid shafts
The ratio between the diameter of the hole and
the external diameter of the shaft, in the case of
hollow shafts. If Q ≤ 0,3, Q may be assumed
equal to 0.
The shafts are to be protected against corrosion by means of
either a continuous liner or an oil-gland of an approved
type, or by the nature of the material of the shaft.
2.3.2 Guide vanes, shaft support
a) Guide vanes and shaft supports, if any, are to be fitted in
accordance with direction of flow. Trailing and leading
edges are to be fitted with rounded profiles.
b) Fillet radius are generally not be less than the maximum
local thickness of concerned element.Fatigue strength
calculation is to be submitted.
2.3.3 Stator and impellers
a) Design is to take into account the loads developed in
free going conditions and also in peculiar manoeuvres
like crash stop.
b) Tip clearance is to take into account vibratory behav-
iours, displacements and any other expansion mode in
all operating conditions of the water jet.
c) Fillet radii are generally not to be less than the maxi-
mum local thickness of concerned element.
d) There is to be no natural frequency of stator blades or
rotor blades in the vicinity of the excitation frequencies
due to hydrodynamic interaction between stator blades
and rotor blades. Calculations are to be submitted for
maximum speed and any currently used speed.
2.3.4 Nozzle and reversing devices
Design of nozzle and reversing devices are to take into
account the loads developed in all operating conditions of
the water jet, including transient loads.
2.3.5 Steering performance
Steering performance and emergency steering availability
are to be at least equivalent to the requirements in Ch 1, Sec
11, [6.2] and Ch 1, Sec 11, [6.3].
April 2007
Pt C, Ch 1, Sec 12
2.4 Alarm, monitoring and control systems
2.4.1 Steering thruster controls
a) Controls for steering are to be provided from the navi-
gating bridge, the machinery control station and locally.
b) Means are to be provided to stop any running thruster at
each of the control stations.
c) A thruster angle indicator is to be provided at each
steering control station. The angle indicator is to be
independent of the control system.
2.4.2 Alarm and monitoring equipment
Tab 4 summarises the minimum alarm and monitoring
requirements for propulsion and steering thrusters. See also
Ch 1, Sec 11, [6].
3 Testing and certification
3.1 Material tests
3.1.1 Propulsion and steering thrusters
All materials intended for parts transmitting torque and for
propeller/impeller blades are to be tested in accordance
with the requirements of Ch 1, Sec 8, [4.1] in the presence
of a Surveyor.
3.1.2 Transverse thrusters
Material testing for parts of athwartship thrusters does not
need to be witnessed by a Surveyor, provided full test
reports are made available to him.
3.2 Testing and inspection
3.2.1 Thrusters
Thrusters are to be inspected as per the applicable require-
ments in Ch 1, Sec 8, [4.2].
3.2.2 Prime movers
Prime movers are to be tested in accordance with the
requirements applicable to the type of mover used.
3.3 Certification
3.3.1 Certification of thrusters
Thrusters are to be individually tested and certified by the
Society.
3.3.2 Mass produced thrusters
Mass produced thrusters may be accepted within the frame-
work of the type approval program of the Society.
Bureau Veritas 223
Pt C, Ch 1, Sec 12

Table 4 : Azimuth thrusters

Symbol convention Automatic control

H = High, HH = High high, G = group alarm
Monitoring
L = Low, LL = Low low, I = individual alarm
X = function is required, R = remote Thruster Auxiliary

Slow- Shut- Stand

Identification of system parameter Alarm Indication Control Stop
down down by Start
Steering oil pressure L
Oil tank level L

224 Bureau Veritas April 2007