Radio Holland Completes Second Bespoke Bridge System Retrofit

Radio Holland has recently completed a highly customised cruiseship bridge retrofit for Holland America Line. The complete refit was carried out during a short, ten-day dry-dock window.

The work on MS Noordam included refitting the navigation and bridge systems to improve working conditions in line with HAL’s Bridge Resource Management concept. Radio Holland also provided additional equipment including an upgrade of the auto-pilot interface with the propulsion systems to deliver fuel savings. Radio Holland’s scope of work included systems integration, engineering, installation, testing and training. This is the second cruise ship bridge retrofit carried out by Radio Holland on Holland America Line’s Vista Class cruise ships, following work on M/S Westerdam in April 2014.

Radio Holland USA worked closely with Holland America Line to develop a bespoke solution using OEM equipment to meet the cruise line’s requirements. Using its expertise in systems integration, the team from Radio Holland was able to work with multiple vendors to meet Holland America Line’s specification.

The scope of the bridge retrofit included: removal of the existing integrated bridge, all antennas and ECDIS computers, as well as design and installation of new console tops including wing consoles to accommodate new Furuno radars (two FCR-2829 X-band and two FCR-2839 S band), FMD 3300 ECDIS (Main and Backup), EMRI designed Furuno Autopilot with two controlling heads with FAP 2000/3000 track control, EMRI AZIPOD propulsion interface with provision for fuel optimization, Satellite Speed Log, two AIS and two GP170D GPS systems.

Steve Nevey, Technical Superintendent of Nautical Operations from Holland America Line commented: “Having worked closely with Radio Holland for many years, Holland America Line had the confidence to consider a highly customised bridge retrofit rather than a like for like upgrade. Radio Holland responded by proposing an innovative ‘best of breed’ solution that matched the existing systems and provided additional functionality. Using its in-house systems-integration, engineering, project management and sub-contractor management skills, Radio Holland successfully procured, installed and commissioned the new bridge systems within the timescales specified by Holland America Line.” 

Fergus Campbell, Managing Director of Radio Holland USA commented: “As more and more Cruise lines focus on total cost of ownership and end of life obsolescence there is a need for new solutions which do not tie them to a single brand of bridge equipment installed at new build. The success of the bridge retrofits for M/S Westerdam and M/S Noordam demonstrate the added value that Radio Holland can deliver in providing a highly customised solution using equipment from different vendors. We delivered additional functionality and flexibility through our in-house systems integration expertise and operational knowledge of the vessels. With our worldwide service network and remote monitoring facilities, we focus on helping ship owners achieve uninterrupted, safe operations.”