Thruster Retrieval Systems
A very interesting feature of the GustoMSC drillship designs is the application of a thruster retrieval system (TRS). The TRS is one more example of the intelligent equipment solutions that are being offered to the offshore industry, alongside the hydraulic and electrical jacking systems for drilling rigs and wind turbine installation vessels, as well as the medium to large offshore cranes GustoMSC delivers to the offshore construction market.
In this system, the standard azimuthing thruster of any reputable vendor is mounted in a specially designed container which also accommodates the thruster utilities. By means of a rack and pinion system this container can be retracted to above main deck level, enabling the drilling unit to perform thruster maintenance on site, even allowing for in-situ thruster replacement. The vessel does not even need to sail to sheltered waters, thus eliminating mobilization and demobilization time and resulting in zero loss of operating time and income.
The P10,000 drillship is fitted with six thrusters of 5MW each, all fitted with a thruster retrieval system, combining to form a full DP3 thruster dynamic positioning system.
