Stabilisation at rest: A new solution

A new market for zero-speed stabilization systems has been emerged for megayachts, due to a change in customer profile, which demands greater onboard comfort and reduced motions whilst a vessel is at rest. Rolls Royce has adapted its Brown Brothers Aquarius retractable-fin stabilizer design for use on larger yachts to serve this new market. The Aquarius 50 fin chord has an increased width and its tilt actuator adapted to increase the maximum fin sweep 22.5deg to 40deg. A new control and electro-hydraulic arrangement can sense the start of any roll and whilst a yacht is at rest the system tilts the fins at a high angle to generate reaction load to counteract wave motion. The new fins, tested in Maritime Research Institute, The Netherlands, are able to significantly reduce yacht roll in wave heights of 0.5m. These fins can also help to save costs and increase hydraulic capacity.