Modern Sailing

[GTX]

Hi folks,

Recently read this:

Military Sealift Command Public Affairs
For more information, contact:
Gillian Brigham (39) 081-568-4096
Sealift Logistics Command Europe
October 6, 2008

U.S. Navy charters world's first kite-powered cargo ship

For the first time, the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command has chartered a kite-assisted, fuel-saving cargo ship to carry military equipment.

MV Beluga SkySails departed Newport, Wales, Oct. 5 after the first of three European port calls to load U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force cargo before the ship's month-long voyage to the United States.

The 400-foot Beluga SkySails is the world's first cargo ship to use a sky sail - a giant, computer-controlled kite that can rise 100 yards into the air and uses wind power to help propel the ship during long ocean transits. Though MSC frequently charters commercial ships to meet mission requirements, this is the first time the command has chartered such a ship.

The ship operating company estimates that the sky sail can reduce fuel costs by 20 to 30 percent, or roughly $1,600 per day.

Though Beluga SkySails' wind power was not a factor in awarding the contract, the ship operating company was likely "able to capitalize on fuel savings to make its offer more competitive," said MSC contracting officer Kenneth Allen.

"MSC values innovation that leads to cost savings," said Navy Capt. Nick Holman, commander of Sealift Logistics Command Europe, MSC's area command for Europe and Africa. "We are proud to be collaborating with innovators in the commercial maritime world to provide our customers with efficient and quality service."

MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

I wonder how a modern warship w look using this concept - especially with oil prices etc.

Regards,

greg

[deathjester]

what happens if two or more skysail equipped ships pass too close to each other and the ' kites' get tangled up.....?!!

[The Rat]

Something I've often wondered about is a rigid sail. They're basically just airfoils anyway, so stand a symmetrical-airfoil wing on end and use that. Gotta be more efficient than a piece of cloth that can waste energy by flapping around if the airflow isn't exactly right. Or am I missing something? 

[pyro-manic]

I've been thinking about this. Would be a great addition to the CVFs - save a few pennies on fuel! Same goes for the T45s....

[kitnut617]

err! something here doesn't compute, the article says that's a 400 foot skysail, well on deck there is only seven 40 foot long containers end to end so the sail is another three containers longer, this photo only shows the sail to be about three containers long. 


I was looking to see if this was originally posted on April 1st

[pyro-manic]

I think the ship is 400ft, not the sail.

[Jschmus]

When I first read this, I thought they were talking about turbosails, as seen on Jacques Cousteau's Alcyone.

[RP1]

I love teh neo-sails.

Something I've often wondered about is a rigid sail. They're basically just airfoils anyway, so stand a symmetrical-airfoil wing on end and use that. Gotta be more efficient than a piece of cloth that can waste energy by flapping around if the airflow isn't exactly right. Or am I missing something?

Rigid sails were one of a number of different techniques examined by the US, Europe and notably Japan in the 1970s (oil crisis and all that). They work just fine, and the Japanese had some success, but are more complicated, require deck area, have stability limitations and can only use the low-level wind. If you look at the picture, you can see that the SkySail has a pretty small impact on the ship.

When looking at options for patrol ships (OPV with towed array in wartime) in the 1980s, the MoD considered sail assisted propulsion, albeit more as a noise reduction technique. Problem there was that the generating the hotel load (running the coffee machine) produced more machine noise than the propulsion anyway, so it wasn't worthwhile.

If people are really interested I can dig up the 1970s articles from The Naval Architect.

RP1

[kitnut617]

I think the ship is 400ft, not the sail.

Doh! --  well in that case I don't see that tiny little thing doing anything.  But then I don't know a thing about ships.

[tinlail]

I think the ship is 400ft, not the sail.

Doh! --  well in that case I don't see that tiny little thing doing anything.  But then I don't know a thing about ships.

I think the sail is 400ft across but also a 300 feet above the ship, so there is considerable perspective issue in the picture.

[jcf]

According to their website the sails for cargo ships are from 150 to 600 square meters in size.

http://www.skysails.info/english/

Interesting concept with a number of advantages.

Jon

[GTX]

If people are really interested I can dig up the 1970s articles from The Naval Architect.

I'm interested.

Regards,

Greg

[Andrew Gorman]

In the 1920's Anton Flettner came up with the rotorship:
http://www.efluids.com/efluids/gallery/gallery_pages/flettner_rotorship_page.htm
At least two full size ships were built, and operated successfully.  Much more maneuverable than a sailing ship and much more fuel efficient than a motor ship.  BUT fuel was cheap, and and the ship had to be sailed, not just driven.  I've always liked them