When both thrusters have the same power rating, which generates more thrust at a bollard pull condition?

Study for the Nautical Institute DP Revalidation Exam. Use multiple choice questions and flashcards, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

In bollard pull conditions, the thrust generated by a thruster is significantly influenced by the diameter of the propeller. A thruster with a larger propeller diameter can generally generate more thrust due to several factors:

  1. Increased Surface Area: A larger propeller has more surface area, which allows it to push against a greater volume of water. This results in a higher thrust force since each blade can exert more water displacement.
  1. Lower Slip: Larger propellers tend to operate at lower slip, meaning that they effectively convert more of their rotational power into forward thrust rather than spinning water without producing movement. This is crucial in a bollard pull condition, where the objective is to maximize the force applied.

  2. Improved Efficiency: A larger diameter propeller often operates more efficiently in terms of thrust output per unit of power supplied, especially at low speeds typical of bollard pull scenarios.

Since the question specifies conditions where both thrusters have the same power rating, the one with the larger propeller diameter will typically create a greater thrust, making it the most effective choice for applications requiring maximum pulling force. Thus, this is the reason why the correct answer is the thruster with the large propeller diameter

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