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It’s a question that many curious travelers have asked, and in this article, we will uncover the answer for you. Since we’re in the cruising business, we find this stuff fascinating, too. That’s why we interviewed Chief Engineer Rhea Wilson and her team to get the inside scoop on everything related to ship mechanics and operations.
How Big Is a Cruise Ship Engine?
The heat generated from the engine is recovered and used to produce electricity for other onboard systems, such as air conditioning and water heating. The electricity produced by the engine is used to power the ship’s propellers. The journey is very short and has many stops at exotic locations, so for that reason, the ships are designed accordingly by making room and utilizing the open design space. They make the cruise ship a floating hotel completely with hospitality.
Wow, we certainly learned a lot about cruise ships!
It’s important to note that age and health restrictions may also apply, as certain physical conditions may hinder a visitor’s ability to navigate the engine room environment. Even though the hull of a cruise ship is mainly hidden from view, it serves several essential purposes. If you would like to learn more about the design of a modern cruise ship hull, we encourage you to watch Royal Caribbean’s video guide to the Oasis of the Seas Hull Design. While the hull is undoubtedly an interesting and important section of the ship, most cruise ships ensure that this area is entirely off-limits to passengers and other unauthorized personnel. The powerplant is controlled by ABB's PEMS (Power and Energy Management System), which also optimizes the onboard energy use. Ships' batteries are charged using hydropower (water-generated electricity), which as of 2019 accounts for ~7% of the USA's total electricity production.
Where Is the Engine Located in Ships?
In May 2019, the US company "Maid of the Mist" ordered ABB two new all-electric vessels for the company's Niagara Falls tours. Both catamarans are 100% emission-free being powered by high-capacity batteries. Each ship is fitted with two battery packs (combined capacity 316 kWh / 563 HP output). The electricity is provided by 2 fully-independent power systems and split evenly between the 2 hulls. For most vessels, the average consumption is miles on a fuel gallon. Ships' gas mileage varies depending on the type and size of ship, the number of passengers on board, and other factors.
Two Crew Members Killed in Engine Room Accident on Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Ship - Cruise Law News
Two Crew Members Killed in Engine Room Accident on Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Ship.
Posted: Sat, 23 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The engines on a cruise ship can be up to 45 feet long, 27 feet high, and weigh up to 275 tons. Every piece of equipment can be monitored from the engine control room to ensure the cruise ship runs smoothly. Here’s everything you need to know about a cruise ship’s engine room.
Some engine room tours may also incorporate interactive elements, providing visitors with hands-on opportunities to engage with the equipment and gain a deeper understanding of how it all works. These interactive elements can be both educational and entertaining, offering a unique perspective on the inner workings of a cruise ship. When visiting the engine room, it’s essential to set realistic expectations to fully enjoy the experience. The duration of the tour may vary depending on the cruise line and the depth of the visit. On average, engine room tours last between 30 minutes to an hour, providing ample time to soak in the sights and sounds of this intricate mechanical wonderland. So you’ve embarked on a thrilling cruise adventure and now you find yourself wondering – can you actually visit the engine room on the cruise ship?
Safety Alert
Modern cruise ships use diesel-electric engines, while newer cruise ships are moving towards more environmentally friendly solutions like liquified natural gas. On a ship, the engine room (ER)[1] is the compartment where the machinery for marine propulsion is located. The engine room is generally the largest physical compartment of the machinery space.
This blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month. For example, if you sail to Canada and New England, you may find that the fog is so dense that the ship must sound its foghorn all through the night! If your cabin is towards the bow, you may be awoken by the sound of the anchor being raised and lowered. Or, if your room is by the elevator, you may hear lots of other guests chatting as they stagger to bed in the early hours of the morning.
Cruise Lines That Allow Engine Room Visits
The cylindrical rotor sail has a height of 24 m (79 ft) and a diameter of 4 m (13 ft). This creates pressure/speed difference that moves it in the direction of the opposite (lower-pressure) side, creating a force at a right angle to the direction of the wind. Unlike traditional cloth sails, the rotor needs no furling (stowing), reefing (reducing sail's area) or line-tending.
I don't know about prior information, except for the people who have already taken the tour. Worth it to do at least once, especially on one of the larger ships. I am one that wants to know how things work so it was awesome for me.
The generators can operate critical navigation systems, emergency lights, and other vital equipment. The emergency generators are located away from the main engine room, usually on a higher deck. Their location isolates them from catastrophic damage in the engine room (for example, a fire). Diesel engines have greater fuel efficiency at slower speeds, and the high gas price compared to diesel makes them more costly to operate. Marine vessels that run on diesel power must carry exhaust-treatment systems and catalytic-reduction equipment to reduce the environmental impact of the ship.
Improper maintenance, mechanical issues, and human error can all be factors in causing engine failure. It requires full redundancies, which include two engine rooms. If the main engine should ever fail, power to electrical services should still run. If, for example, passengers wandered into the engine room unsupervised, the results could be catastrophic. Numerous machines and pieces of equipment are essential to the entire ship’s safe operation down in the hull, so it needs to be protected.
