Radio Holland performs two bridge upgrades for boutique cruise line Windstar
Radio Holland successfully performed two bridge upgrades for Seattle-based, boutique cruise line Windstar Cruises. The Star Breeze project began on April 7th at Lisbon Dry Dock and was completed just a week later in Lisbon allowing the luxury liner to stay on schedule. The Star Legend refit was carried out in Singapore in December 2017.
Fergus Campbell, Radio Holland Business Development Director, comments: “Windstar was looking for a turnkey solution for several bridge upgrades. The company knew our capabilities and our reputation from the successful completion of similar projects on several larger cruise ships over the past few years and they know that we are brand independent. Our Global Service Network was also a deciding factor as these vessels sail worldwide and servicing the equipment was a big concern for the owner.”
For both ships Windstar ordered a Transas Navigation suite, which included a NaviRadar package with the newly incorporated JRC radar sensors. The system consisted of two radars, (one X-band and one S-band), Dual ECDIS, a Route planning station and a new Anschutz autopilot which allows for added functionality such as Track control from the ECDIS. This system was fully networked to take advantage of the multifunction displays allowing the operators to change configurations depending on the operation requirements of the vessel.
Windstar preferred the new Transas JRC package because several of their vessels had Transas ECDIS on board for many years already, allowing for standardization of the fleet. This makes it a much easier transition between ships for the crew and shortens the training time for the new equipment.
Specialized technicians
As well as the challenge of the strict schedule for the dry-docking, Radio Holland also modified the consoles and the antenna footprints in a relatively short period of time. The company’s self-contained team of specialized, cruise liner technicians and subcontractors allows Radio Holland to work independently and hence avoids delays from other 3rd parties. ”We are well used to making new equipment fit into existing spaces”, Mr Campbell emphasises, which resulted in a successfully executed project in a time sensitive situation. Later this year Radio Holland will also perform an upgrade of the ECDIS equipment on Windstar’s three luxury yachts Wind Spirit, Wind Surf and Wind Star.
About Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises operates a six-ship fleet of small sailing and all-suite ships visiting approximately 270 ports in 2018 sailing throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Asia, Alaska, Canada and New England, and cruising year-round in Tahiti. Windstar’s fleet is the market leader in small ship cruising with a total of 1,242 passenger berths calling on off-the-beaten-path and popular ports in over 60 countries. The boutique cruise line carries fewer than 310 passengers on its small ships and takes travellers on cruises that are 180 degrees from ordinary. They are known for their immersive and authentic experiences, unique, port-intensive itineraries and exceptional award-winning service.
