Patent ID: 7112109
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A ship with a navigation arrangement, with combined main propulsion and control/steering drives ( 20 ), with at least one podded propulsor ( 25 , 25 ′), whereby the propulsion and control/steering drive and at least one propeller ( 26 ; 26 ′) are combined in a rotatable gondel-type unit or gondel-type housing ( 27 ) placed outside the proper hull ( 110 ) in the stern area ( 115 ) so as to permit drive and steering of the ship, wherein at least one course keeping rudder system ( 30 ) is placed outside the swiveling range of the podded propulsor ( 25 ) or of the podded propulsors ( 25 ; 25 ′) in the stern area ( 115 ) of the hull ( 110 ) as an independent, separate, small and electrohydraulically operated rudder ( 35 ) configured with a flow favourable profile and operative to only provide the sole steering moments necessary for the ship during the straight forward traveling, the main and control/steering drives ( 20 ) being used for the straight forward traveling and low-speed steering, and unused for steering during the straight forward traveling, wherein each course keeping rudder system ( 30 ; 30 ′) receives individually, independently and/or together simultaneously the control signals necessary for the course keeping of the ship from a course controller and the main and control/steering drives produce solely the forward thrust for the ship, wherein the propeller of the podded propulsor is faced away from the rudder.