Schiff&Hafen | Ausgabe 06/2017
Next generation motion-compensated gangway
Bosch Rexroth | Netherlands motion-compensating system specialist Barge Master, in close collaboration with Bosch Rexroth, has recently launched a motion-compensated gangway for the safe and efficient transfer of personnel and cargo from ships to drilling and offshore production platforms, wind turbines and other marine installations, assessed and approved by DNV GL. Development of the gangway proved quite a challenge, according to Ron van den Oetelaar, general manager at Bosch Rexroth Benelux, “due to the simultaneous linear and rotary motions along several axes occurring under large forces. The active motion-control technology applied in the system is extremely complex,” says van den Oetelaar. The gangway is placed on a small diameter pedestal with a hinge and a luffing cylinder to compensate the roll motions of the vessel. The gangway can translate and rotate (surge and yaw) in the horizontal plane around the pedestal by using hydraulic motors.