HAMILTONJET
PROPELLING WATERJET SOLUTIONS TO THE NEXT LEVEL powered by Inside Marine
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HAMILTONJET
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PROFILE
P R O P E L L I N G WAT E R J E T to the next level As the leading designer and manufacturer of waterjet propulsion systems and with more than 80 years of experience, HamiltonJet offers unmatched quality in the global supply of waterjets and controls systems. Innovation remains at the core of the company, and in recent years it has advanced further, developing integrated waterjet solutions and controls for autonomous and unmanned vessels. Profile by Andy Probert. 2
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aterjet technology is the DNA that continues to flow through the veins of HamiltonJet, from the very day that Sir William Hamilton pioneered the first commercial system in the 1950s. Fast forward to 2022: the New Zealand company is the confirmed market leader of waterjets and vessel controls thanks to its trusted expertise and innovation in delivering robust and high-performance propulsion technology. A preferred supplier to boat builders, naval architects and marine operators, HamiltonJet’s influence runs deep and wide across the marine industry. An estimated 60,000 waterjets have been installed on vessels in various segments, such as offshore, pilot, rescue, fire, military, patrol, windfarm, fast ferry, fishing, aquaculture and recreational applications. Its current portfolio features 21 different jet models, from the mechanically controlled HJ212 absorbing 70kW all the way through to the electronically controlled HT1000, capable of absorbing 7,500kW, for vessels from 5-100m in length. The products, designed and built to world-leading industry standards, are
manufactured in-house at HamiltonJet’s Christchurch factory, with foundries for casting stainless steel and aluminium, cutting-edge machining facilities, extensive testing and inspection procedures. To deliver a global service at a local level and be closer to clients, the company employs 470 people worldwide, with a global network of strategic offices in the UK, Seattle and Singapore, underpinned by over 50 distributor partners and a host of service agents.
Evolving from land to sea HamiltonJet’s eventual journey into waterjet technology came from its forerunner, CWF Hamilton & Co, formed in 1939, through its specialism in engineering for earth-moving equipment capital projects, such as hydroelectric dams. In the early 1950s, Sir William began to experiment with waterjet propulsion to enable his family to enjoy the shallow and fast flowing rivers in New Zealand. The first waterjet was launched in 1956 and quickly superseded a year later by the first axial flow system, the Chinook, which is the genesis of every waterjet that exists on the market today.
Hamilton set the pace in the market, professionally and personally, in the waterjet space. The family’s vessel was the firstever recorded to cover the entire length of the Colorado River, it also accompanied Sir Edmund Hilary in a voyage along the River Ganges to its source in the Himalayas. Tom Pannell, HamiltonJet’s Global Distributor Manager, said the company had, up to the early 1980s, continued waterjet technology as a side line, accounting for 10% of business. However, it decided on a complete redirection; to focus on its waterjet technology following significant economic change in New Zealand. “Today, HamiltonJet produces more waterjets per year than all its competitors. We have total control over production, with quality and innovation key strengths.”
Developing market leading technology Antony Tomkins, HamiltonJet’s Global Business Development Manager, said: “Over the last 15 years, we have been very market-specific in our approach, and with 11 different market segments, we have built our strategies and approaches structured around how those vessels are used.”
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HAMILTONJET
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PROFILE
The biggest markets for HamiltonJet include windfarm support vessels, ferries, patrols and military. “When we select a jet to a project, we ensure it’s the right jet for that application, not just the installed power,” outlined Mr Tomkins. “For example, jet sizing is different for a windfarm vessel compared to the same size and power for a ferry. The results can be significant and directly impacts the way a vessel performs.” Kevin Robertson, General Manager of HamiltonJet’s EMEA office, added: “We have introduced new jet models frequently so that we can replace existing waterjets with more efficient designs and operating envelopes. “The idea was to introduce two new jets a year until we have replaced the fleet, and we are on track with that. The efficiency savings have been quite considerable. We have increased speed up to 7% and increased bollard pull up to 20% on average.” Sea trials for a waterjet are just about to be completed in the Middle East with one client, and Mr Robertson said the performance had “been up to 60 knots”, which is likely to lead to new orders. He said the success of HamiltonJet’s involvement in some of the UK’s search and rescue services is being actively utilised as a template for other sea-bound search and rescue organisations across Europe. Mr Robertson added: “We have been fortunate to have maintained long-term 6
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relations with distributors and partners for in excess of 35 years, through the good and the bad. These are long trading relationships that are not just about selling a product; we are with them every step of the way.”
Artificial intelligence meets waterjets HamiltonJet recently launched JETsense, in collaboration with Sea Machines. The system utilises autonomous navigation, multi-sensor fusion and computer vision to move waterjet vessels to the forefront of 21st century navigation and utility. JETsense employs AI and advanced autonomy to perceive the domain and maintain precise steering and speed control during a voyage and re-route to avoid traffic and obstacles. It also provides a new level of streaming data to improve on-water operations. The product, which features Sea Machines’ technology at its core, offers a helm-based system to advise, safeguard or assume active control of open water vessel transits. At its official launch, HamiltonJet’s Managing Director, Ben Reed, emphasised: “JETsense is the first product on the market to incorporate Sea Machines’ advanced vision package. It pairs onboard autonomy with enhanced situational awareness in a highly desirable way in many manned applications. Throughout development,
we prioritised helm integration and the ease-of-use for mariners.” In 2019, Sea Machines and HamiltonJet successfully commissioned an SM300 autonomous control system aboard a HamiltonJet-powered 17m workboat in New Zealand. HamiltonJet continues to trial this marine technology and provides on-demand customer demonstrations in the Southern Hemisphere. Continuing at the forefront of propulsion technology, mixing innovation and evolution, the company is now developing new jet control applications to ensure HamiltonJet’s brand remains firmly on an upward trajectory. Mr Tomkins said: “On the evolution of hybrid and electric vessels, there is a general industry push towards low or zero emissions, and that is a particular challenge as the technology isn’t readily available for the high speed maritime sector – yet. “But two years ago, HamiltonJet launched EHX, a hybrid interface where we can supply the entire driveline, and crucially the control system integrates all that complex hybrid control. And it is the same control system as all other control systems. “From an operator’s point of view, it makes the control of the hybrid model and the mode selection very easy and intuitive, and removes the need for different screens and controls. EHX is a neat and clean solution, and we are seeing interest from
different segments, such as windfarm and passenger vessels.” He added the company has flexibility across the offering to deliver the best solutions for our clients. “When we talk to clients about hybrid and electrification, we can talk from personal experience because we have trialled these systems on our workboat. So we understand the challenges, we know what to think about, and we can be proactive in supplying trusted and tested equipment.” HamiltonJet has been equally active in developing several options concerning autonomous systems for the past 13 years. “13 years ago, it was considered crazy thinking, but as the years have gone by, the autonomous and unmanned space has grown and grown,” Mr Tomkins remarked. “Our experience integrating systems, such as JetLink, has seen significant growth, and we are continuing to build on that.” HamiltonJet has also launched the HJX29 – the first model in its new HJX waterjet series. This range sits just below the HTX jets in size and will gradually replace the globally popular HJ jet range. Mr Reed said HJX packs a real punch, adding: “HJX jets will deliver 4-6% more thrust at higher speeds than the previous HJ Series waterjets. “Despite their compact dimensions, the HJX range will be capable of achieving speeds over 50 knots when matched with suitable engines and hull design. Compared
to the HJ series, HJX also achieves 15-20% more bollard pull and greater sway thrust than the previous HJ series.” Looking ahead, the company is currently investing in a new facility on the existing production plant in Christchurch. While logistics and shipping, in general, were proving challenging, the flexibility and robustness of its distributor network remained a major strength.“I have 22 distributors in the EMEA, and there are significant jets on order for he next few years, which highlight the confidence in our products,” commented Mr Robertson. Mr Pannell said: “Reliability, consistency, core competence, and passion are our key differentiators. We only focus on waterjets and that places us differently
from most other competitors. As a fourthgeneration family-owned company, it is uniquely focused on that challenge and reflected in the products we design and manufacture. “Clients are regarded as partners, and they frequently comment HamiltonJet is always there. It is a company not driven by the bottom-line; our passion permeates throughout the business from top to bottom.” Mr Robertson concluded: “HamiltonJet is committed to investing in infrastructure, technology and product development across the board, as well as investing in people. We are well poised for the future because we continue talking to all elements of the industry.” n
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