What is a Bow Thruster?

Chief Officer Andre van Schoonhoven and First Engineer Marcel Kiers inspecting bow thruster #2 during the dry dock in Trieste.

We received this cool image of Eurodam’s bow thrusters taken during the ship’s recent dry dock, and we thought it would be interesting to post it with information on the function of the bow thrusters. So, we went to Captain Jeroen van Donselaar to find out the answer:

A bow thruster is a device that is fitted in the bow, as much forward as technically possible, to enhance maneuverability of the ship. Bow thrusters are only useful at slow speeds or when the ship is stopped, which is when the bow thruster is most efficient.

Unless in clear water or in drydock, the bow thrusters are normally not seen.

Most designs have a reversible propeller, driven by an electric motor, that sits in a tunnel which is part of the hull. Because the propeller is reversible, bow thrusters can be used to push the ship’s bow to port (left) or to starboard (right). When the bow thrusters are operated together with the pods, which are located at the stern of the ship, the ship can move sideways or turn on a dime.

Because of their large ’sail’ and subsequent need for ‘force,’ our Vista and Signature class ships are fitted with three bow thrusters.