Damen Marine Components (DMC) has been awarded the contract for Optima nozzles, plug & play Piston-type steering gear and TIMON flap rudders for four coasters being built by Thecla Bodewes Shipyards (TB Shipyards).
What is notable is that the steering gear for these ships will be supplied plug-and-play, which saves a lot of time during the final installation on board.
Damen Marine Components is supplying various systems to Thecla Bodewes Shipyards for the four identical coasters, which will measure 118 x 14.3 x 6.2 metres.
Most striking are the Van der Velden® Piston-type steering systems to be fitted on the ships. DMC will build this steering gear in its own workshop in Hardinxveld-Giessendam.
The complete steering gear on a foundation, including starters, cylinders and all other necessary parts, is then lifted on board at TB Shipyards in the steering gear room and connected to the rudder.
Installation therefore takes only a fraction of the time that would have been required if everything had to be installed separately.
