Becker Head Office Hamburg
Tel.: +49-40-24199-0
Becker Service (German office hours):
Tel.: +49-40-24199-1410
Becker Service Hotline (cell phone, 24/7):
Tel.: +49-173-9229311
Becker Service Email
service@becker-marine-systems.com
Until now modern navigation and positioning systems have been using rather general output signals for rudder control operation while manoeuvring, because the force generated at specific rudder angles is not available to the navigation system. This results in less efficient manoeuvring.
The Becker Intelligent Monitoring System (BIMS) is able to directly measure rudder forces and interface them with the ship’s navigation systems as well as visualise rudder lift on the bridge. Thus improving manoeuvrability and allowing energy-saving autopilot operation and more efficient dynamic positioning.
Above: BIMS functional principle diagram.
By displaying rudder force, the BIMS ensures optimal rudder performance for safe manoeuvring. It can detect low rudder forces, indicating where poor rudder response or even rudder stall can be expected. This enables the crew to take appropriate countermeasures in advance to achieve optimum rudder performance.
Travelling on autopilot, the rudder of a ship operates continuously within a range of several degrees, leading to an increase in resistance and fuel consumption. Direct force feedback by BIMS supports the ship’s systems to sail with fewer rudder movements, resulting in energy savings and reduction in emissions.
BIMS supports and improves the DP system using conventional rudder-propeller arrangements. Precise measurement of rudder force leads to better station-keeping performance, resulting in more reliable DP operations. The energy savings resulting from fewer rudder movements are substantial.