Cargotec‘s MacGregor has introduced a new steering alert system called Soteria to deliver a range of benefits for both ship owners and shipyards.
The Soteria system has been developed to complement the company’s existing Hatlapa and Porsgrunn range of steering gears.
MacGregor Hatlapa Drives & Controls expert Henrik Schädel said that Soteria is based on a CAN Bus system, which is robust and uses standard cabling to avoid commissioning and operating issues.
“The system’s alert display can be fully integrated on the vessel’s bridge, ensuring clear and easy access to a comprehensive range of alerts,” Schädel said.
The system can be installed easily and requires only one programmable logic controller (PLC), which according to Schädel, is a beneficial feature to shipyards.
“Shipyards and ship owners enjoy the pricing benefits of being able to purchase the steering gear and essential accessories from a single source, as well as the ability to receive an all-rounded service for their products from one supplier who knows the products and integrated functionalities,” Schädel added.
“The system’s alert display can be fully integrated on the vessel’s bridge, ensuring clear and easy access to a comprehensive range of alerts.”
In addition to a control cabinet featuring a touchscreen control panel in the steering gear compartment, the Soteria system is also equipped with touchscreen panels in the engine control room and on the bridge.
In the event of a steering problem, the system issues visual and audio warnings in three different colours implying three classes of alert.
The Germanischer Lloyd class-approved system also offers several other alert activation options, which can be selected as per a vessel’s steering gear configuration.
The options include overall system failure, feeder failure, hydraulic locking, low servo oil pressure, overload, high oil temperature, safematic isolation system failure, system error, grease pump failure, clogged oil filter, phase failure, low oil level, reduced rudder torque and stand-by start.
