Powering Better Waters
When it comes to the seafood on your plate, it's not just about what's caught — it's also about how and where it's caught, and under what conditions. Ministries of agriculture and fisheries worldwide rely on patrol vessels to monitor fishing zones, check water quality, enforce regulations, and promote sustainable practices.
Crucial to these missions is ensuring that patrol vessels remain in peak condition, ready to respond at a moment's notice. When a 14-meter (46-foot) aluminum patrol vessel on the Croatian coast began suffering from aging engines and high oil consumption, it was time for a repower. The goal: modern, efficient propulsion with the power and reliability to support high-speed patrols and optimize uptime.
Enter Capax, a marine engineering company based in Šibenik, Croatia. Known for delivering turnkey refit and engineering solutions, Capax specializes in keeping vessels at peak performance — from maintenance and upgrades to full-scale repowers. Recently appointed as a dealer to Rama Marine, the long-time John Deere marine distributor in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Capax oversaw the full transformation of the vessel, and it's now running smoothly with a few extra knots to spare.
From Old to New: A Clean Power Swap
Capax replaced the vessel's original engines with two John Deere 9.0L marine engines, each rated at 410 kW @ 2500 rpm (M5 rating). With no changes to the drivetrain, the new engines fit seamlessly into the existing setup, connecting directly to the Twin Disc MG 5065A gearboxes (1.47:1 ratio) as well as the original shafts and propellers.
This wasn't a guesswork job. Rama supplied a complete engine package based on Capax's technical brief, including accessories and a custom-built sea trial kit — helping the commissioning process run smoothly, stay compliant, and meet exacting John Deere standards.
"Capax may be new to our dealer network," says Marco Chezzi, marine sales manager at Rama, "But they've hit the ground running. We delivered the engines, and they took care of everything from integration to sea trials and after-sales service with our support every step of the way."
Why John Deere? Why Now?
The vessel needed engines that were quiet, responsive, and durable — ready for sudden acceleration, sharp maneuvers, and consistent cruising. The 9.0L displacement and duty cycle of these engines proved an ideal match.
"Even though we're a new Rama dealer, we know John Deere engines well," says Goran Milavic, Capax business manager. "And we knew we could count on strong support from our colleagues in Italy. Reliability was key, and that's what these engines deliver."
Sea trials confirmed it all. The engines delivered smooth responsiveness, quiet operation, and reliable performance under pressure. The vessel's top speed increased from 27 to 29 knots, with an extra 50 rpm over nominal, all without added noise or vibration.
A Smarter Way To Commission
A standout in the repower was Rama's approach to sea trials and commissioning. The custom-built kit Rama supplies enables all tests, from fuel efficiency and vibrations to warranty registration, to be run precisely and consistently.
Davide Giuliani, service, testing and training manager at Rama, was there for full commissioning. With years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of marine propulsion, Giuliani knows exactly how to fine-tune engine parameters on the spot. His strong analytical skills and ability to interpret real-time data meant he could make informed adjustments during the trial: optimizing functionality, smoothing out performance, and ensuring that everything ran exactly as intended.
"We learned so much from Davide," says Milavic. "You can tell he's been through hundreds of installations. He just knows what to listen for, what to tweak, and when to say, "They're ready.'"
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Expanding the Network: Rama and Local Dealer Support
Rama has steadily expanded its territory across the Balkans, including recent growth into the Croatian market. Known for delivering full propulsion solutions and technical expertise, Rama supports customers directly or through trusted local dealers like Capax and GM Turbo in Split.
"Our priority is always to keep engines performing at their best," says Chezzi. "That's why we train our dealers, check every installation, and stay involved long after delivery. Support doesn't stop at handover."
Capax, previously focused on luxury yachts, now brings its engineering know-how to commercial and government repowers, delivering complete marine engine packages from installation to sea trials and after-sales. Their growing portfolio includes more orders for John Deere-powered marine gensets, building on the success of this recent patrol vessel project.
A Job Well Done
Thanks to the repower, the vessel is now back in great shape: faster, smoother, and ready for many more years at sea. In the end, it's simple: Reliable engines make reliable work possible. And when that work helps keep the sea in good shape, everybody wins.
