Retractable tunnel thrusters inherit all the benefits of a typical tunnel thruster application such as docking, slow speed maneuvering, emergency steering and station keeping at zero or slow forward speed with the added ability of extending down past the bottom of the vessel to assist in controlled, azimuth propulsion.
Retractable tunnel thrusters are easily installed transversely in the bow or the stern of a vessel and include a section of the vessels hull when in the retracted position. Retracting the tunnel thruster is as simple as clicking a single button that will cause the tunnel thruster to automatically correct its positioning before retracting back into the vessel.
Retractable tunnel thrusters are available in mechanical and hydraulic options.