Castoldi, the renowned Italian manufacturer of advanced waterjet propulsion systems, has successfully completed sea trials for two state-of-the-art patrol boats, each equipped with dual Turbodrive 400 HCT waterjets.
The new patrol boats, destined for the Italian Coast Guard and fisheries patrol duties in the North Sea, also incorporates the latest evolution of Castoldi’s Advanced Control and Expert System (ACES).
The new 16 metre patrol boat for the Italian Coastguard recently exceeded its design brief in an unusual early sea trial, said Giacomo Castoldi, owner at Castoldi S.r.l. “This new generation, high performance patrol boat, christened CP335 and designed and constructed in Italy by FB Design, began its life with a demanding cruise from Venice to Puglia in winter sea conditions. The crew recorded speeds up to 38 knots, which is higher than the maximum forecast by the designers, underscoring the efficiency of the Turbodrive 400 HCT”.
Ebe Buzzi, Commercial Director at FB design added: “With a tight delivery timing and a demanding customer, Castoldi provided the best solution on the market. After many years of using only our own propulsion system, we were surprised both by the ease of installation and by the performance. Castoldi allowed us to build a fast, reliable, efficient boat, that was also incredibly easy to manoeuvre and perfectly suited the client’s needs.
Obtaining its name from its 400mm jet housing, integrated gearbox/hydraulic clutch and high thrust efficiency, the Turbodrive 400 HCT is the latest size in a new range of high technology waterjets that have been designed using the latest and most advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software, making them up to12% more efficient than previous waterjets.
It is a great source of pride for Giacomo Castoldi to supply the propulsion for CP335, which is the first of a new design for the coastguard and could perform the basis for a new class of patrol boats: “CP335 is an important vessel which has worked out to be something of a showcase of Italian engineering prowess. The Castoldi Turbodrive 400 HCT waterjets with their ACES control system can deliver boathandling and seamanship miracles, and the whole package is wrapped up in the distinctive lines provided by FB Design. It’s wonderful to provide our technological expertise and proven reliability to back up the performance of this Italian-built boat that stands to protect our waters for many years to come”.
The second vessl recently completed at Tamsen Maritim, the historic shipyard at Rostock, on Germany’s Northern coast, the new 17 metre fisheries patrol boat provides another solid example of a demanding vessel use profile for the Castoldi Turbodrive 400 HCT waterjets. The vessel is set to patrol the cold waters of the Baltic year in and year out; a stretch of water where vessel reliability is critical.
Castoldi waterjets have always been a popular choice amongst heavy commercial users, in part because they all feature a durable integrated gearbox (heavy duty certified) and multi-disc hydraulic clutch allowing the drive to be engaged and disengaged without stopping the engine. They can also be equipped with the Clear-Duct advanced cleaning system that, when activated, performs the dual action of impeller reversing (back-flushing) and intake screen grid opening, reducing time off service for hard-working commercial vessels.
Both patrol boats rely upon the Castoldi ACES control system for accurate station keeping in port and at sea. ACES is a totally integrated Electronic Control System based on a 32-bit embedded processor using a dedicated CAN bus network protocol. Designed in partnership with Xenta, a specialist in integrated control systems, ACES is suitable for single or multiple installations of Castoldi waterjet units. It provides control of engine rpm, waterjet steering nozzles and reversing buckets in docking, cruising and dynamic positioning mode operations. Additionally ACES is available with a proven interface for USV applications and Turbodrive 400 HCT will soon be installed on such a vessel.
Castoldi ACES is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution, and in both these builds it has been extensively configured to serve the hull and power characteristics of two very different vessels, adds Chiara Colombo, Marketing and Communications Manager at Xenta: “Xenta continuously improves the algorithms related with the powertrains control systems, focusing specifically on manoeuvring and dynamic positioning systems. 20 years ago, Xenta began developing a method (that is part of a registered patent) that allows its algorithm to seamlessly adapt to any type of boat, regardless of differences between vessels. Rather than aiming to define the dynamics of a ‘perfect’ boat, our approach prioritizes replicating the intuitive decisions of an experienced captain in various situations. During the commissioning phases, our engineers enable the system to learn and optimize its handling for each specific boat.”
With over 60 years of expertise in manufacturing waterjet propulsion systems, Castoldi is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation. The Turbodrive 400 HCT represents a significant milestone in the evolution of waterjet propulsion, catering to the demands of a new era that seeks ever higher performance, efficiency and control without burning more fuel to achieve it.
For more information about the Turbodrive 400HCT, the ACES system and other Castoldi products, please visit www.castoldijet.it
