City Sailingvideo

World's Last Seagoing Paddle Steamer Engine Room Tour

31 January 2024 · 8 min · 7K views · Dunoon Pier

What this video covers

The PS Waverley, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, operates on a triple-expansion steam engine originally coal-fired but now converted to oil.1:00 The engine utilizes three cylinders of increasing size to capture energy as steam pressure drops, with the exhaust from the high-pressure cylinder feeding the medium-pressure cylinder, followed by the low-pressure cylinder.1:13 The crankshaft connects directly to the paddle wheels on both sides, allowing for forward and reverse propulsion.1:40 Steam exhausted from the low-pressure cylinder enters a condenser, where seawater cooling turns it back into water for return to the boilers via a hot well.3:32 The vessel carries 38 tons of fuel oil and gas oil, requiring bunkering every three days.5:29 To comply with MARPOL regulations, bilge water passes through an oily water separator to ensure oil content remains at or below 15 parts per million before discharge.4:44 The ship operates out of Dunoon Pier, requiring high-speed approaches to maintain steerage way due to the lack of propeller-driven rudder authority.Watch

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