Installation of firefighting (FiFi) pumps and monitors has become increasingly a standard requirement in new tugboat orders of higher bollard pulls. Not only the high safety demands of international ports, but also improved charter possibilities for an all-purpose sophisticated tugboat of today’s generation necessitate FiFi auxiliary equipment.

Ortlinghaus recognises that tugboat prices are subject to substantial downward pressure and asks the question as to how to find an economical and smart solution without compromising maneuverability performance and space on board? A very effective solution would be to drive the propeller and the FiFi pump with the same main engine. Space can be saved, as no separate engine is needed to run only the pump, and there is high availability of the main engine, which is in operation daily.

During firefighting operation, the FiFi pump needs full power for operating while the propeller provides a certain level of thrust for maneuverability. This task can be achieved with a FiFi pump connected to the B-side of the main engine and a slipping clutch between the diesel and propeller side, providing only part of the power to the propeller. However, with a market tendency towards high speed engines in many regions for tugboat propulsion lines, this becomes a very big challenge for the slipping clutch.

Ortlinghaus has developed system solutions with a friction clutch, that can permit thermally controlled full slip at these high speeds. The company has two capable alternatives to meet the challenges of balancing the drive between propulsion and the firefighting pump. System solution Propact 75 HD Ortlinghaus is able to slip up to nominal speed of high-speed engines. Alternatively, one size smaller, Propact 72 MD, can be used to slip up to medium speeds, like typical FiFi pump speeds.

See Ortlinghaus at Seawork on stand PO45