Eight MacArtney Winches for New JAMSTEC Research Vessel

MacArtney has supplied a consignment of high performance oceanographic winches to JAMSTEC, the Japanese Agency of Marine-Earth-Science and Technology. The total of eight winch systems and appurtenant equipment were delivered to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries who, in cooperation with specialist MacArtney launch and recovery technicians, installed them onboard the brand new JAMSTEC research vessel, the R/V Shinsei Maru.

Built at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shimonoseki Shipyard and Machinery Works, the R/V Shinsei Maru was completed and delivered to JAMSTEC in June 2013, hereby marking the latest addition to the extensive JAMSTEC fleet of modern research vessels. In the hands of the JAMSTEC scientists and empowered by state-of the-art functions and equipment, R/V Shinsei Maru is bound to offer an invaluable contribution to the recovery of marine ecosystems and fisheries in post earthquake disaster coastal Japan. This will be achieved through comprehensive studies, hereunder efficient marine environmental observation, bathymetric survey and ocean-atmosphere research.

To effectively carry out these kinds of oceanographic surveying, the R/V Shinsei Maru is equipped with a wide variety of on board observation systems, portable research equipment and a remote controlled unmanned probe. For launching and recovering this multitude of surveying systems and equipment, the R/V Shinsei Maru is outfitted with a cutting-edge total MacArtney winch solution.

Comprising eight winch systems (four stationary and four portable), the MacArtney winch solution includes General Survey Winch, Large Wire Winch; Medium Wire Winch; Small Wire Winch; CTD Winch
Deep Tow Winch; Water Sampling Winch and Mooring Survey Winch.

Adding to the overall system performance, six of the MacArtney winches onboard the R/V Shinsei Maru are empowered by Active Heavy Compensation (AHC). AHC dramatically reduces unwanted undulation, cable slack, pull and equipment instability by compensating for the motion caused by heavy seas. This way, AHC works to dramatically decrease weather related downtime.

From initial contact to final delivery, the order was facilitated by trusted MacArtney Japan representative, the Nishiyama Corporation. MacArtney is dedicated to continue working with both Nishiyama, JAMSTEC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on future projects.

macartney.com