NEW PRODUCTS VPLP design launches Oceanwings
Drawing on extensive experience in the field of rigid sail development, France’s VPLP Design has developed a two- element wingsail for commercial craft which is furlable, reefable and entirely automated. Called Oceanwings, this new automated sailing system has been tested on small sail craft but is being developed for use as a sail assistance system for shipping.
VPLP Design’s interest in rigid sails started in 2010, when they were involved in the design of high performance America’s Cup sailing yachts. From this the Oceanwings team acquired real design expertise, and convinced them of the bright future awaiting this type of rig for use on commercial vessels. Despite their superior aerodynamic efficiency wingsails possess a fundamental hindrance to their use on commercial vessels, their rigidity. This limits their ability to reduce the surface area, which means that they can’t be reefed or furled like fabric sails.
“Oceanwings developed by VPLP Design is a practical solution for overcoming these obstacles and a significant step down the road to increasing the adoption of wingsails. We are offering a wind propulsion system that is reliable, simple and automated.” commented Marc Van Peteghem of VPLP. “We have developed a reefable and furlable rigging concept which exploits the aerodynamic qualities of multi-element profiles.”
VPLP Design wanted to know just how big the fuel savings could be when operating Oceanwings in conjunction with a traditional combustion-engine propulsion system. “We have developed a software solution which allowed us to make statistical predictions about energy consumption on optimized passages.” said Marc Van Peteghem. “Depending on routes and vessels, we identified fuel consumption reductions of 18% to 42%. Even though wind propulsion achieves double-digit fuel savings its use must not mean carrying additional and specialist crew. In other words, automation has to be an essential feature. By integrating manufacturing considerations early in the design stage, VPLP has managed to ensure that costs are on a par with the purchase of a high-performance rig and can be quickly recovered by commercial operators.
New CTV unveiled by Umoe Mandal
Umoe Mandal in Norway has unveiled a new design, the Wavecraft, a series of high- speed, all-composite service vessels designed for fast crew transport. The company says the high-speed craft offers
offshore operators “a long range
economical, commercially feasible and safe alternative to helicopters.”
The company says the Wavecraft
“delivers substantially reduced transit time, excellent seakeeping and superior fuel economy, transferring personnel to far-from-shore installations smoothly that they arrive refreshed and immediately ready for work.”
Wavecraft Voyager can be delivered in a standard or as a ‘high performance’ version. “Both have unmatched speed and seakeeping capabilities, and offer superior fuel economy, reducing environmental impact and downtime, and increasing overall productivity,” said Umoe Mandal, noting that the Wavecraft Voyager can maintain this level of performance even in high sea states and can transport crew at sprint speed of 58+ knots.
“Utilizing an active motion damping system, Wavecraft Voyager makes it possible to reach offshore installations even when the distance from harbour is significant and weather conditions are poor,” the company claimed.
72 | The Report • June 2017 • Issue 80
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