HamiltonJet’s new JETanchor positioning system was on display at the recent International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans. The system features two automatic operational modes — stationkeeping and virtual anchor.
JETanchor, which features a new mouseboat, is used in addition to the company’s current blue ARROW features and will allow marine operators the ability to use the new automatic modes for many operational requirements, as well as the existing manual maneuvering mode, according to Albear Montocchio, HamiltonJet’s global marketing manager.
“All the time the system is finding the most comfortable position [for those aboard the boat] possible,” he said from the floor of the show. “Crew comfort is important, keeping the noise level down, for example, helps guard against crew fatigue.”
Montocchio said that additional benefits include more accurate stationkeeping, a significant reduction in operator workload, reduction in number of operational crewmembers, accurate GPS positioning for survey work, ROV deployments and standby work, reduction in fuel consumption and improvement in operational safety.
In the “Station Keeping” mode, the system keeps the vessel’s GPS position and heading. The operator may adjust the heading or position of the boat by moving the mouseboat while in this mode. This will allow the vessel to be repositioned to a new heading or position without disengaging the mode.
If using the “Safety Anchor Mode,” the boat will automatically weather vane around a GPS position under prevailing wind and sea conditions, allowing the vessel to hold a position that is most comfortable to the crew. “It holds the quietest position,” said Montocchio.
While in “Thrust Hold Mode,” the system holds the thrust settings for steering and thrust and allows the operator to take his hand off the mouseboat.
