Brunvoll DP System Installed on Norway’s Largest SAR Vessel

Brunvoll’s DP0 system provides precise station-keeping for the high-speed rescue vessel, marking the company’s first DP delivery to the Norwegian Sea Rescue Society

Brunvoll has delivered and commissioned a dynamic positioning (DP) system aboard the largest rescue vessel ever built for the Norwegian Sea Rescue Society (Redningsselskapet/RS), marking the company’s first DP system supplied.

The new rescue vessel, which will be stationed in Mehamn, is equipped with Brunvoll’s DP0 system, enabling precise station-keeping in challenging conditions. Brunvoll Mar-El has supplied the vessel’s propulsion control system.

Installation and commissioning were completed on board by a dedicated Brunvoll team working closely with the vessel’s crew and shore-based support personnel.

The vessel is designed to operate at speeds of up to 30 knots, presenting particular challenges for DP operations. Brunvoll says the vessel’s high-speed characteristics mean even small changes in propeller pitch can produce an immediate response, requiring precise control to maintain a stable position.

“This is a vessel built for high speed, up to 30 knots, and that makes it particularly challenging to tune for DP operations. Small changes in propeller pitch produce an immediate response, so holding the vessel steady calls for a high degree of precision,” says Dag Sverre Grønmyr, VP Engineering and Autonomy at Brunvoll.

Commissioning included extensive testing of the interfaces between the DP system, propulsion system, thrusters, sensors and position-reference equipment. Brunvoll also adjusted and refined the system’s mathematical model to achieve stable and accurate positioning.

“This is an exciting project for us. Delivering to the largest rescue vessel ever built, and at the same time supplying our first DP system to RS, makes this an important reference for us going forward,” Grønmyr said.

For the vessel’s crew, the project also represented their first experience operating with a DP system. Initial feedback has been positive, with the crew highlighting the system’s ease of use while identifying scope for further optimisation.

Brunvoll plans additional follow-up and fine-tuning on board before the vessel enters full operational service, with the aim of maximising the performance of the DP system in demanding rescue operations.