Real Journeys Repower with Yanmar 6AYs and Kobelt

REAL POWER

Real Journeys were born in 1954 when local couple Les and Olive Hutchins bought a small tourism operation in stunning Fiordland, in New Zealand's South Island. The business was a modest operation consisting of a remote walking track, two small and rather aged boats and a dilapidated hut at Doubtful Sound, providing authentic guided excursions to some of the world's most spectacular wilderness areas.
Fast forward more than 50 years, Real Journeys is today New Zealand's largest marine tourism operator, and operates 32 vessels under survey, including six major ships: the Milford Sovereign, Milford Monarch, Milford Wanderer, Milford Mariner, Milford Haven and the Fiordland Navigator, (all built in Southland New Zealand) as well as very distinctive tour buses and a tourism flight airline.  Real Journeys pride themselves on their quality of service, local knowledge and an award-winning environmental ethos.

Whiting Power Systems, now the New Zealand Yanmar distributors and Real Journeys' Brian Humphrey, General Manager Engineering and Supply, first started discussions in early 2008 with a view to re-powering some of the major vessels.
The Fiordland Navigator  Real Journey's purpose-built vessel for cruising in the fiords & was first in line for review of its propulsion system. Offering spacious viewing decks, a comfortable dining room and an observation lounge, travellers have the choice of private cabins with ensuite bathrooms or shared bunk-style accommodation. Fur seals and bottlenose dolphins are often seen, and at times, rare penguins can be observed which makes the Navigator an ideal platform for capturing priceless memories.  

Discussion was centered on a pair of Yanmar 6AYM-STE (659 hp @ 1900 rpm via Yanmar YX180-L 4:1 reduction gear) which offered major advantages over the existing CAT C18 power plants. From Yanmars dedicated Commercial range, these 20 Litre IMO compliant units are quickly gaining a "no fuss" reputation amongst owners who respect excellent fuel consumption and low noise levels. Developing full power at a conservative 1938 rpm these mechanically controlled purpose built marine engine packages offer a very viable power solution for operators such as Real Journeys.
The decision subsequently was made to re-power the 40 metre, 693 gross tonnage Fiordland Navigator, and the project began in beginning of August 2010 with an extremely tight window of only four weeks to launch date. Adding to the scope of works for Whiting Power was the supply of Shaft Brakes from Kobelt of Canada, and Electronic Engine Controls also from Kobelt, which where selected both for their durable manufacture and their ability to provide an integrated control solution, complimenting the propulsion engine selection.
Peter Panfilow from Whiting Power Systems coordinated our engineering support and worked with Real Journeys engineering team in Bluff. Headed by Chief Engineer, Geof Young the challenging re-power was completed on time, and operations checks began 31st August.

These were totally successful with performance targets exceeded & Peter commented that 'with the Hammer hard down, engines 1980 and 1960 rpm, exhaust back pressure 0.6 psi, exhaust temp 380 deg" so not even working hard!!'

Geof and the team are really impressed with the Kobelt brake system and before the technicians arrived a test was performed at eight knots, with no brakes utilized, shifting forward to reverse, and the Yanmar AYs handled the props without complaint!!!

Whiting Power Systems is very proud to have partnered with Real Journeys on the re-power of the Fiordland Navigator & look forward providing further solutions in the future.
www.realjourneys.co.nz
www.fiordland.org.nz
www.whitingpower.com

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