More azipod problems?

[Beachin2]

How rare are azipod problems?

 

Last month had the Radiance cruise cancelled due to AZ problems, now apparently broken down on the Explorer in Honolulu for at least a few hours with AZ issues under repair. Have had no real weather and calm seas for the last 2 weeks.

 

Have the ships outrun the technology?

[Clarea]

I would not say the problems are rare. Seems like about once a year, one of the ships has some sort of azipod problem.

[ECU_Cruising_Pirates]

The ships are running almost non stop from the time they are delivered to royal with the exception of a dry dock every few years. I would expect there to be mechanical issues every now and then.

[chengkp75]

The traditional "shafted" propeller propulsion (engine/motor inside the ship, shaft penetrating the hull, and a propeller) has been around for almost 270 years, while the azipod was first installed in small units about 28 years ago, and cruise ship sized units only 20 years ago, so azipods are still very new technology in the maritime industry. Azipod use is almost exclusively used only by cruise ships and icebreakers, due to the relatively sparse historical reliability data available (there are still only a couple thousand units in service world wide), and other economic factors. So, it will be many years before "all the kinks" are worked out of azipod design and things like metallurgy and machining technology, and there will continue to be failures as the oldest units age and unforeseen failures show up.

[gatour]

I wouldn't say ship outrunning the technology. From their inception, AZ's have been known to be less reliable than conventional power. One cruise line built 3 ships of the same class for the first few years of their service, two of the three would have AZ problems. It was so regular in the timing that people would go on the boards and ask when was the last time a particular ship had an issue and book their cruise accordingly.

 

I guess the cruise lines thing the advantages of AZ's outweigh disadvantages.

 

How rare are azipod problems?

 

Last month had the Radiance cruise cancelled due to AZ problems, now apparently broken down on the Explorer in Honolulu for at least a few hours with AZ issues under repair. Have had no real weather and calm seas for the last 2 weeks.

 

Have the ships outrun the technology?

[TEXASMUNK]

The advantages far out weigh the disadvantages. No need for tugs, (lower docking and departing fees...lower passenger charges). ship's ability to turn in tight locales. Less vibration (passenger comfort). It may be new technology, but based on the total hours of service, it has become highly reliable and economic for both the cruise line and the passenger

[chengkp75]

The advantages far out weigh the disadvantages. No need for tugs, (lower docking and departing fees...lower passenger charges). ship's ability to turn in tight locales. Less vibration (passenger comfort). It may be new technology, but based on the total hours of service, it has become highly reliable and economic for both the cruise line and the passenger

 

There is very little operating advantage between an azipod equipped ship and one with twin propellers, Becker rudders, and stern thrusters. Cruise ships have been docking without tugs for many years, mainly because they don't want the tire fendering on the tugs marring the white paint on the ship's hull, even in ports where tug "use" is mandatory and the tug merely stands by. A well handled twin screw vessel is as maneuverable in "tight spots" as an azipod equipped ship. I would dispute the "less vibration" claim, as the "azipod shimmy" is a known effect common to all azipod equipped ships.

 

The real benefit of azipods for cruise ships is in initial capital cost. Instead of having to pay for two propulsion motors, the shafting and bearings, the pitch control equipment, the two propellers, two rudders and four steering motors, and 2-4 stern thrusters, you only have to pay for two azipods. However, this consolidation into merely two units for both propulsion and steering comes with a drawback, if one unit fails, all redundancy is lost, which is why the USCG requires a tug escort into/out of port for a ship with only one azipod working, while a shaft/rudder ship with either one propeller out of service, or one of 4 steering systems out of service, do not require this costly precaution.

[Beachin2]

As always Chief , you are a wealth of technical knowledge. Thank you. I do completely agree on the vibration/shimmy issue!

[Suzy B]

Hi Beachin2,

 

Are the azipods repaired?

Did the Explorer make it to Maui or are you still in Honolulu?

Happy sailing,

Suzy B