Pressure Washers Cruise To Success

Four Poseidon 5-31 cold water pressure washers from Nilfisk-ALTO are cruising the world aboard one the most magnificent ships afloat - RMS Queen Mary 2 and are in nightly use cleaning the ship's open decks.

Brian Wattling, Chief Engineer of the Queen Mary 2, says the machines are used by the Deck Department to clean external decks and bulkheads after 9pm, when most guests are enjoying the varied nightlife. “Users advise that these washers are very satisfactory in operation,” he says.

Nilfisk-ALTO Sales and Marketing Director Karl Kingston says the Poseidon 5-31 machines provide an environment-sensitive solution to the ship’s needs. “In addition to their quiet operation, the machines operate equally well with fresh water or filtered seawater. In fact, the dissolved salts in the seawater provide an entirely natural ‘detergent’ that produces quality cleaning. Aboard ship, seawater is a free commodity, so it can be used plentifully to ‘swab the decks’ – and there is no problem with the waste.”

The high performance Poseidon 5-31 is a medium mobile pressure washer with a maximum flow rate of 770 litres an hour.  It is designed for cold water cleaning tasks in all sectors. With a five metre power cable and a 10 metre hose, the Poseidon 5-31 can theoretically clean up to 350m2 around a typical wall mounted power point. Its quiet 1,450rpm pump with three ceramic pistons delivers water at 110bar – enough to shift most common types of dirt and to ensure shipboard cleanliness.  

A single phase 230V machine, the Poseidon 5-31 is rated at 3kW. Built ruggedly for long service, the Poseidon 5-31 is also designed for easy use and servicing. Optional XT models include an onboard reel with 15 metres of hose, a rotary nozzle lance and a seven litre detergent tank. The wider Poseidon range includes both 230V and 400V machines, and petrol or diesel options for tough jobs where electrical power is not available.    

Queen Mary 2 is 1,132 feet overall, 135 feet in the beam and 236 feet from keel to funnel. The 151,400 ton ship carries 2,592 to 3,056 guests and a crew of 1,253. She is powered by 157,000 horsepower of environment-friendly gas turbine and diesel electric plant.