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Mediterranean Shipping Power

Solutions for the Marine Industry

The NATO Submarine Rescue System Generating Set from Interpower represents a radical approach to marine emergency power.

The system features a Mitsubishi S6R-MPTA - Class approved engine, a Mecc Alte ECO40-2L/4 alternator and a Deep Sea Electronics  marine control system.

Commissioned from UK-based Interpower by the Royal Navy, the NATO Submarine Rescue System Generating Set has been primarily designed for NATO to work with the British, Norwegian and French Navy as part of their submarine rescue systems.

Constraints to Design

To develop this equipment Interpower had to solve a number of challenges, as Justin Hudson of Interpower explained: “Although we had made containers for offshore applications in the past, meeting DNV 2.7-1 Standards, we have never been bound by size and weight limits.  This unit had to be 6" lower in height than a standard ISO container, and could not weigh more than 13.5 tonnes, inclusive of oil, water and fuel."

High Specification

He added: “Although that doesn't sound difficult, when you appreciate all of the equipment that had to be included in the specification, and a requested noise level of 85dBA @1m, this was a challenge.” Justin points out: “The container had to include a Lloyds- approved CO2 fire suppression system. Talking to Lloyds, we discovered a twin CO2 shot system in this type of container had never been made before.

“Before we manufactured the system, we had to submit detailed designs and operational methodology to Lloyds for approval. As part of the overall set approval we had to demonstrate a CO2 drop and 30-minute integrity hold test, which we passed with flying colours.”

Radiator Cooling

Justin explained that radiator cooling was another requirement. “Typically, on marine generators we would use the ship supply for cooling the engine via a heat exchanger, but this specification called for radiator cooling so that as part of the weekly maintenance program, the unit could be run on land and tested for readiness."

UNIQUE APPLICATION DEMANDS

“As this generator is potentially the only source of power when the rescue spread is deployed on a vessel, rapid connection of services was also critical.  IP65-rated plug and socket connections were used for the power cables, and quick release connections for the supply to make up the internal 1000Ltr bunded fuel tank.”  Once deployed, the generator would have to run continuously for an extended period, without shutdown. It was therefore a requirement that automated oil and fuel make-up systems were in place, and that an operator could change fuel and oil filters while the set was running, via a duplex changeover system,"  Justin said.

“The location of the container on the rescue vessel meant that the exhaust system had to be routed a safe distance from air intakes for compressors and other services,” 

This distance was 15 feet above the roof of the container. "Although this might not sound too difficult, it had to be stowed within the container for transportation and and easily assembled on the roof when deployed.  It also had to be supported when erected on the container roof and capable of withstanding 7 meter waves. The operational life of this container is 25 years, and we had to include easy container access for maintenance and repair.”