Sea gyro stabilizer
Sea sickness induced by the rolling of a boat is a problem most of us are very aware of. Many types of devices have been used to reduce roll motion of ships and boats, most of them performing satisfactorily in their normal mode of use. However these devices can be ineffective outside their narrow zone of operation. For example, active anti-roll fins are used successfully for vessels operating at speeds greater than 10-15kn. However, given a situation of reduced or zero vessel speed (e.g., low-speed manoeuvres or whilst at anchor), a different approach is required. As part of his postgraduate studies at CMST, Colin Ayres developed a new type of brute gyroscope for roll motion reduction on vessels up to approximately 60m length operating at slow speed.
A spin-off company called Sea Gyro was established by Curtin in 2004 to commercialise the technology. Colin completed his studies and became Managing Director of the company. Sea Gyros have now been installed on commercial and recreational vessels in 7 countries with considerable success. Model testing in the Netherlands ship model basin MARIN and full scale trials results have shown that roll motion reduction of more than 60% is readily achievable. The company now has a manufacturing facility in Malaysia.
Curtin sold its share in Sea Gyro in February 2010 but still holds a research interest in the company as it expends its product range.