Azimuth thruster
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An azimuth thruster is a configuration of marine propellers placed in pods that can be rotated to any horizontal angle, making a rudder redundant. These give ships better maneuverability than a fixed
Siemens Schottel azimuth thrusters
Azimuth thrusters on the tug Oued el Kebir, with Kort nozzles
The French Navy Mistral-class amphibious assault ship Dixmude manoeuvering in Jounieh bay; the wake at the stern is perpendicular to the ship, indicating the use of her azimuth thrusters.
Z-drive
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A Z-drive is a type of marine propulsion unit. Specifically, it is an azimuth thruster. The pod can rotate 360 degrees allowing for rapid changes in thrust direction and thus vessel direction. This el
Azimuth thruster
…by gearing. The motor may be diesel or diesel–electric. Depending on the shaft arrangement, mechanical azimuth thrusters are divided into L-drive and Z-drive. An L-drive thruster has a vertical input shaft and a horizontal output shaft with one right-angle gear. A Z-drive thruster has a horizontal input…
Z drive on Ile de Bréhat