Hart Marine relies on Volvo Penta IPS
Four of Hart Marine’s Orc pilot vessels were outfitted with the Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS) for performance, maneuverability and streamlined, efficient operations in Australian waters.
Hart Marine installed Volvo Penta IPS systems on four new ORC 173 pilot boats that were recently constructed in Australia. Each vessel has been outfitted with a Volvo Penta IPS900 system and twin Volvo Penta D13 engines. The all-weather, self-righting crafts will be used to transfer pilots to incoming ships and aid navigation in Australian as international ports.
Hart Marine, a leading shipyard in Victoria, Australia, produces what has been called the “Pilot Boat of Choice” in many regions of the world. Over the last four decades, the company has perfected the manufacturing of high-performance pilot and patrol vessels, including the Orc pilot, police and rescue boats. Volvo Penta IPS has featured on many of these boats, ensuring peak performance for operations crucial to safety and security.
“These vessels must handle critical operations in some of Australia’s most challenging maritime environments. The southern waters are known to be rough, with southern water currents, strong winds, extreme weather fluctuations and challenging depth curves,” said Graeme Taylor, General Manager of Hart Marine. “The powerful combination of Volvo Penta IPS and Volvo Penta D13 engines ensures these new vessels will balance high-speed performance and operational efficiency in these conditions.”
The 17.55-m Orc 173 vessels are equipped with Volvo Penta Interceptor System to reduce wave resistance. Volvo Penta D13-IPS900 engines provide 485 Kw each – a total of 970 Kw per vessel – enabling them to reach 35 knots with a cruising speed of 28 knots. The 6-cylinder diesel engines are 4-stroke direct-injected, turbocharged and aftercooled, and each generates a 12.8-liter displacement.
“The Volvo Penta Dynamic Positioning System is like using a handbrake in a car – with one press of a button, the vessel will just sit there in any wind or tide – it’s incredible. Volvo Penta IPS offers a toggle switch which makes docking unbelievably easy. It’s like you’ve trained the boat to follow your hand. It’s even better than we anticipated,” said Rob Welsh, launch coordinator at Flinders Ports.
Hart Marine outfitted the Orc 173 vessels with Glass Cockpit, which integrates all navigation, engine data and monitoring into one large, high-resolution screen, providing a clear and comprehensive view of the vessel’s surroundings and systems. This fully digital control system provides operators with a clear overview of vital information on high-resolution displays, improving situational awareness and operational efficiency. This allows the crew to monitor vital parameters like engine performance, fuel levels and navigational charts. It enables them to make informed decisions quickly and without having to switch their attention across multiple screens.
“It’s been a great success for Hart Marine and Flinders Port. This really is a steppingstone into the future of the pilot boat industry,” said Malcolm Hart, Managing Director of Hart Marine.
