Boot Düsseldorf: mtu Megayacht electronics for boats of up to 35 metres
Posted on January 23, 2001
At the Düsseldorf Boat Show 2001, MTU Friedrichshafen is exhibiting its new "Blue Line" monitoring and control system. This system is based on the comprehensive MCS-5 Monitoring and Control System and the RCS-5 Remote Control System, which mtu has developed for megayachts and other larger types of ship.
"Blue Line" is available for twin engine systems of the mtu series 183 and 2000 and therefore for the output range from 740 kW (1000 hp) to 2940 kW (4000 hp). With this new electronic system, the skipper can monitor and control the engines and transmission of the yacht precisely and in comfort.
Designed specially for small and medium-sized vessels
"Blue Line" was developed in close cooperation with yacht builders and is specially designed to meet the requirements of boats with an overall length of about 18 to 35 metres. The system consists of a throttle lever, various displays and a switch panel at the helm. In addition, the system includes an electronic module for installation in the console, components for the engine room and precut cables with plugs. "Blue Line" maintains precise harmonisation between the different drive components, thereby ensuring rapid response when manoeuvring, responsive acceleration and jolt?free handling of the yacht.
In their outward appearance, all the components of "Blue Line" can be blended smoothly into the overall yacht design. The displays and switches are visually matched to each other, so that the bridge can be given a clear and attractive layout. Even the electronic components for the engine room are designed to blend in well with the other new electronic systems.
Three variants: "Classic", "Comfort" and "Avantgarde"
The new electronic monitoring and control system from mtu has a modular, flexible composition. Depending on the wishes of the yacht owner, the system is available in the standard "Classic" version, an extended "Comfort" variant or with a more comprehensive "Avantgarde" equipment level. The basic equipment, i.e. the throttle lever, an electronic module in the console and a monitoring unit in the engine room, remain identical. The differences in the three equipment variants are in the controls fitted at the helm, an optional local operating station in the engine room and in the scope of the yacht systems monitored.
The standard "Classic" version includes analog instruments next to the throttle lever, for displaying the engine speed and the temperatures and pressures of the lubricating oil, coolant and transmission oil. In the "Comfort" variant, a liquid-crystal display (LCD) is also provided, so that the skipper can call up additional data about the engine and transmission, complete with limit values and alarms.
In the "Avantgarde" equipment variant, the display is replaced by a TFT flat screen at the helm, transforming "Blue Line" into a multifunctional system. In addition to the driveline, which is graphically displayed together with all engine and transmission data on several screen pages, this equipment variant can also include other yacht systems in its monitoring function. For example, the fuel level, bilge status, data on the on-board electrical power supply and the positions of doors and hatches can be graphically and clearly displayed on separate screen pages. The advantage of this equipment is that a wide variety of different information is collected in a central unit and displayed on a single screen. This system therefore avoids the need to install separate displays at the helm for each monitored component of the yacht.