Removable icebreaker bow is self-powered using Danfoss hybrid technology
MarineLog reports a very different approach to domestic icebreaking, using an unmanned, add-on, hybrid powered bow section, mated to a tug.
“Is this how to make almost any tug an icebreaker?”–MarineLog
Fascinating. Wonder how much ice this sort of setup could take on.
Reading the article, it is to be used on a lake that is said to freeze with ice up to 80cm (slightly over 2.5 feet). I guess that is the only indication we get, unless Tups knows.
I don’t remember the exact figures, but that sounds about right as it’s a relatively small vessel. However, the technology is easily scalable and, since you don’t have to worry about seakeeping during the open water season – you can go for a slightly more “extreme” icebreaking bow to increase the performance at the cost of slamming impacts in head seas. Perhaps this could be a solution for commercial (contracted) icebreaking in the Great Lakes?
By the way, this relates to another post you published some time ago – the tug that pushes the removable bow is the one that was fitted with the new ice-strengthened bronze propellers.
I had this idea long ago, but for use by the WLRs in Dist.8(WR). Simply un-couple the ATON barge and hook up the Icebreaking barge. The WLRs sit idly all Winter, and this would keep commerce going on Western Rivers.
Indeed, it’s not a new concept – similar things have also been tested and/or used at least in Canada and the Soviet Union – some more successful than the others.
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Tug-fitted-with-Alexbow-icebreaking-device_fig5_44051974
We built one in the early 1980s while developing a new “extreme” icebreaking bow form for shallow-draught river icebreakers. After the tests, the bow was sold to a towing company that has since used it for icebreaking:
The one now under construction is actually intended to replace this one. However, whereas the old bow is just a dumb barge pushed by a single-screw tug, the new one has additional propulsion and the pusher is a modern ASD tug.