Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Remember, up until recent times, no significant research was done on hull forms concerning vibration. Even today, the foremost concern in hull dynamics is efficiency. Ships built today have vibration issues that are incomparable to an old steam ship. Naturally, a steam turbine exhibits greater dynamic stability and less vibration than a low speed engine.

I have been at overseas shipyards during sea trials and a large skip of angle iron was loaded onto the main deck prior to departing. When platforms in the machinery spaces or piping on deck was marked as excessive vibration, the welders would take a piece of angle iron from the skip, cut to size, and fit where needed to brace the vibrating structure. I do not mean they welded right to equipment, but rather to pipe support frames, handrails, electrical wire trays, etc. This same outfitting occurs in shipyards around the world - Korea, France, USA.

As for quality of modern machinery aboard the ship, I would be surprised if there was an issue with the casting of the rudder assembly on the Algoma Harvester. It is possible, but incorrect fitment and erection is more plausible. The standard guarantee/warranty period for a new build ship is 1 year from date of delivery. In that 1 year period, most failures from defects are repaired free-of-charge. Beyond that 1 year period, good luck.

Few companies "stand behind their name" anymore, especially in the global shipbuilding industry. While manufacturers do not necessarily go out of business left and right, they will very much not care if your claim is outside of a warranty period. Everything has a useful life, and many times the machinery will not last as long as the ship itself. My company has replaced the entire engine room automation on ships only 8 years old, as that automation company ceased support of that product.

A good example is a major engine manufacturer in the Far East - one of the major players in the world shipbuilding scene - builds engines under license from MAN and Wartsila. This licensee manufacturer had a known quality control failure that caused main bearing failures and subsequent crankshaft damage, resulting in crankshaft replacement and in-situ machining of main bearing housings in the engine frame. While the engine builder was deemed at fault, and many lawsuits were filed, at the end of the day, they are still in business and still building thousands of engines a year. A small shipping company does not have the resources nor time for litigation against one of the largest marine suppliers in the world. If filing suit against a Chinese manufacturer, good luck.

Now that she is in PWDD, any idea how long she will be off the water?
Thanks in advance

Going way back, it was found that the Ishpeming and then LaSalle had vibration issues when they were converted to steam turbine power. It was somewhat lessened by the addition of 'fins' to help the flow of water around the propeller.

Jerry at Duluth wrote:The Joe Block did not have a bent shaft, it had the wrong wheel. Dudley refused to sail the boat from her warrantee inspection until they looked at the propeller. When they did, they found that the propeller was the propeller for the George A. Stinson. The boat still had problems after that. The engine bed was flexing and would do damage to the reduction gear. It took some time and a lot of steel but that problem was finally eliminated.

Were there any similar problems with the H. Lee White or Charles E. Wilson? I believe they were of the same general design. Or were did they have different engine arrangements?

When the transom stern self unloaders Griffith and Mcgiffin came out with there cort nozzle they vibrated so bad the dishes in the galley would vibrate off the tables!

The Joe Block did not have a bent shaft, it had the wrong wheel. Dudley refused to sail the boat from her warrantee inspection until they looked at the propeller. When they did, they found that the propeller was the propeller for the George A. Stinson. The boat still had problems after that. The engine bed was flexing and would do damage to the reduction gear. It took some time and a lot of steel but that problem was finally eliminated.

I recall the problem with the Sykes had something to do with its aft mast.

When the "Supers" came out in the 40s, Pittsburg Steamship Co. had stiffeners welded all around the hull because of bending problems.

I believe it was the new Joe Block that had the vibration problem that was finally corrected when Capt Dudley Pauquet kept complaining about it and the propeller shaft was found to be bent .

How common are such problems when designing a whole class of ships? I remember reading about the Sykes having some vibration problems early in its career and also the Blough if I'm not mistaken.

There was an oil barge built in China for the west coast After it arrived it spent 2 or 3 months in ship yard having repairs done before it went into service I asked one of the crew why they don’t go after the builders He said they did send a company rep to China When he got there the shipyard was gone No one to go after for warranty work

I heard its more design problem than manufacturing!

I've been waiting to see what problems start coming up with these boats. I've personally seen how going overseas for a bargain price on electrical equipment is risky due to the distance, language barrier, and lack of direct oversight, with the manufacturer cutting every corner possible in order to give you that low price. They have no brand reputation to stand behind-everything is just a commodity. I wonder how much that applies to ship building.

That seems like a major issue for a new class of lakers. What options are there besides welding? TIA


Rob W

Appears to be some major cracking in the casing of the rudder. Welding in Buffalo did not seem to be the answer. This is not the only Equinox vessel affected.

She was secured outside of Port Weller Dry Dock yesterday, we met her in the Montreal area of the Seaway last Wednesday morning

She was here in Lackawanna for 10 days. I was told for repair work, but I never actually saw any contractors over at the dock. The ship’s AIS was on the whole time, but the she looked like there was no one on board & there weren’t even any lights on over night. I started thinking that maybe she was here for some sort of mid-summer layup or something like that like the straight deckers do every once in while.

After unloading at Dofasco they've moved over to Pier 26. Recently they spent several days getting repairs in Buffalo. What problems are they having ?