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The Australian Naval Architect: Volume 10 Number 3 August 2006
The Australian Naval Architect: Volume 10 Number 3 August 2006
NAVAL ARCHITECT
Volume 10 Number 3
August 2006
The Australian Naval Architect 4
THE AUSTRALIAN
NAVAL ARCHITECT
Journal of
The Royal Institution of Naval Architects
(Australian Division)
Volume 10 Number 3
August 2006
COMING EVENTS
NSW Section Technical Meetings from across the industry.
Technical meetings are generally combined with the Sydney Papers were invited on the theme “Towards 2010” and will
Branch of the IMarEST and held on the second Tuesday of focus on these topics:
each month at Engineers Australia, 8 Thomas St, Chatswood, x Technological Developments in the Design of Boats
VWDUWLQJDWSPIRUSPDQG¿QLVKLQJE\SP and Ships
The program of meetings remaining for 2006 (with excep- x Keeping the Recreational Boater Safe
tions noted) is as follows: x Radio Communications for Australia
12 Sep Rob Madders, Rolls Royce Australia, Security x New Developments in Navigation and Safety Equip-
and Environmental Protection by Commer- ment
cially-designed vessels x Legislation for Marine Safety
10 Oct Stuart Cannon, Defence Science and Technol- x Research into Accidents and Incidents
ogy Organisation, Post-damage Ship Structural x Meeting the Training Agenda for the Maritime Indus-
Strength try
7 Dec SMIX Bash 2006 (see below) x Improving Marine Safety Administration
Queensland Section Technical Meeting x Growing the Maritime and Boating Sectors in Austra-
The next technical meeting of the Queensland Section will lia
be on 12 September 2006. The venue will be Ocean Yacht x Exporting and the International Boating Market
Design at the Runaway Bay Marina on the Gold Coast. x A National Approach to Survey
The meeting will commence at 1830 and the presentation x Promotion of the Recreational Boating Industry
will be The Hull Form of a Recent Design by Ocean Yacht x The Role of Women in the Maritime Sector
Design. x Resolving the Relationship between the Maritime In-
Marine Safety 2006 dustry and the Environment
The National Marine Safety Committee’s (NMSC) confer- x Safety and the Fishing Industry
ences have established a reputation as the leading marine x Succession Planning for the Maritime Industry
safety forum in Australia. The Marine Safety Conference Conference Program
2006 will be held at the Gold Coast International Hotel,
The Marine Safety Conference 2006 brings together a wide
Surfers Paradise, from Tuesday 12 to Thursday 14 Sep-
range of representatives who work in and support Australia’s
tember 2006.
vast maritime industry. The conference includes special seg-
Call for Papers ments on recreational boating and a Shipping Symposium
As with previous conferences, the NMSC sought those who covering large ship issues.
wish to take a lead on issues affecting Australia’s marine Through a streamed approach to the conference, delegates
activities and invited the submission of ideas and presenta- will be able to choose to attend the forums which meet their
tions for the conference. The committee welcomed original needs. The conference will also provide valuable networking
papers from professional, voluntary groups and associations and social activities for participants and their partners.
August 2006 13
Exhibitors and Sponsors The 2007 ‘King–Hall’ Navy History Confer-
The Marine Safety Conference 2006 is an excellent op- ence
portunity to gain exposure to major decision makers within 7KH¿IWKELHQQLDOµ.LQJ±+DOO¶1DY\+LVWRU\&RQIHUHQFHZLOO
Australia’s marine industry. NMSC can provide organisa- be held in Canberra on 26–27 July 2007. The conference
tions with sponsorship packages and details of conference will be organised by the Sea Power Centre — Australia with
exhibition opportunities. assistance from the School of Humanities and Social Sci-
For further details contact Marlene Glenister on (02) 9247 ences, The University of New South Wales at the Australian
2124 or email [email protected]. Defence Force Academy. The King–Hall Conference has
EHFRPHDVLJQL¿FDQWHYHQWLQWKHQDWLRQDODQGLQWHUQDWLRQDO
HIPER 06 sea power communities for its wide-ranging discussion of
7KH ¿IWK ,QWHUQDWLRQDO &RQIHUHQFH RQ +LJK 3HUIRUPDQFH topical naval historical and maritime strategic issues. The
Marine Vehicles (HIPER) will be held between 8 and 10 conference is open to the public, and previous events have
November 2006 at the Australian Maritime College in attracted a wide range of naval historians, academics and
Launceston. HIPER Conferences are held once every two retired and serving military personnel, as well as interested
years. The inaugural conference was held in South Africa in lay people from Australia and overseas.
1999; subsequent ones have been held in Hamburg in 2001, Theme
Bergen in 2002 and Rome in September 2004. 7KHEURDGWKHPHRIWKHFRQIHUHQFHLVµ7KH'RPLQDQFH
'U 3UDVDQWD 6DKRR LV WKH &RQYHQRU RI WKH ¿IWK +,3(5 of Communications in Maritime Operations’. Its aim is to
conference which will be held at the Australian Maritime DQDO\VHWKHLQÀXHQFHRIFRPPXQLFDWLRQVRQWKHDSSOLFDWLRQ
College in Launceston. Papers are invited on the design of sea power in the broadest possible sense. The content
and operation of high-performance marine vehicles, such will thus deal with both information and transport, and
as hydrodynamic or structural analysis, or economical, encompass issues ranging from the strategic importance of
ecological or safety aspects, etc. There will be two parallel sea lines of communication through to the tactical use of
sessions and proceedings will be published in hardcover communications in war and peace.
book format. Program
Abstracts were due for submission at the end of March, ac- Maritime historians and strategists have long been conscious
cepted at the end of April, and papers due for submission for of the fundamental links between oceanic communications,
review at the end of May. The schedule is now as follows: naval strength and national achievement. In today’s glo-
6XEPLVVLRQRI¿QDOSDSHU $XJXVW EDOLVHGHFRQRP\WKHLPSRUWDQFHRIVXFKOLQNVLVPDJQL¿HG
Conference 8–10 November 2006 but not always appreciated by policy makers and outside
Fees for the conference include attendance at all technical analysts. Practitioners of sea power have likewise been
sessions, a copy of the proceedings, lunches, refreshments, aware that developments in strategy and tactics are closely
conference dinner and barbecue, and are as follows: related to the prevailing state of communications technology.
But although navies are at the forefront of the revolution in
Registration $950
information management, seamless interoperability remains
Student (including higher degree) an elusive goal, and the extent to which force networking
discount 50% may have changed traditional naval roles remains unclear.
For further information, check the conference website, www. By examining how maritime communications have evolved
amc.edu.au/hiper06, or contact the conference secretariat and why perceptions have changed, this conference will use
at hiper06.amc.edu.au, or Dr Sahoo on (03) 6335 4822 or the past, not only as a subject of interest in itself, but as a
email [email protected]. guide to the future conduct of planning and operations.
Various distinguished speakers from Australia and overseas
SMIX Bash 2006 ZLOODSSHDUDWWKHFRQIHUHQFH7KH¿QDOSURJUDPZLOOHPHUJH
The seventh SMIX (Sydney Marine Industry Christmas) from the response to this call for papers, but is expected to
Bash will be held on Thursday 7 December aboard the cover the shifting demands facing both national and com-
beautifully-restored James Craig alongside Wharf 7, Darling bined international sea power, together with case studies of
Harbour, from 1730 to 2230. This party for the whole marine command, control, communications and intelligence taken
industry is organised jointly by RINA (NSW Section) and from the ancient world through to the 21st century. Gathered
IMarEST (Sydney Branch). together, these papers will offer new insights into the future
Tickets are now available to people in the marine industry face of maritime strategy, the changing nature of global con-
and their partners from Adrian Broadbent on (02) 9262 1424 nections, and the continuing nexus between communications
at $25 per head (cash, credit card or cheque payable to RINA and command at sea.
NSW Section) until 31 October, or $30 per head (cash or Proposals
cheque only, no credit card) thereafter. Like last year, num- Proposals for papers, providing an initial title and a one-page
bers are limited, so early purchase is recommended. outline, should be submitted by 31 October 2006 to:
Dr D.M. Stevens
Director of Strategic and Historical Studies
Sea Power Centre — Australia
Department of Defence
Canberra ACT 2600
The Australian Naval Architect 14
A decision on proposals will be available in early December Publication
2006. If a proposal is accepted, then the presenter can Selected papers will be published in a collected volume.
expect conference registration, accommodation during The format will be similar to previous productions of the
the period of the conference, travel within Australia and Sea Power Centre — Australia including The Face of Naval
appropriate meals and incidental expenses to be covered by Battle (Allen & Unwin, 2003), The Navy and the Nation
the conference organisers. (Allen & Unwin, 2005), and Sea Power Ashore and in the
Format of presentations Air (forthcoming).
Presentations at the conference are expected to last 30–40 For more information, contact Dr David Stevens on (02)
minutes followed by time for questions. A draft of the paper 6127 6503, fax (02) 6127 6519, or e-mail david.stevens3@
must be provided in electronic form at least one week prior defence.gov.au.
WRWKHHYHQW7REHHOLJLEOHIRUSXEOLFDWLRQ¿QDOSDSHUVPXVW
be submitted by September 2007.
GENERAL NEWS
Incat’s Spanish Sale On the Spanish mainland–Balearic Islands links, the 96 metre
Milenium and the 98 metre Milenium Dos have both been
In May Incat Tasmania announced that it had secured a
operating successfully since 2000 and 2003 respectively.
contract to provide a new fast ferry for one of Spain’s largest
On the Straits of Gibraltar’s busy Algeciras–Ceuta crossing,
shipping companies, Acciona Trasmediterránea.
Alborán operates in an area of intense competition. The
When delivered in August, the new 98 m vessel (Incat hull crossing is covered almost entirely by fast ferries and high
number 062) will become the fourth Incat craft to enter frequency is the order of the day. In this challenging arena
service for Trasmediterránea, joining near sisters Milenium the Incat vessel has proved a resounding success with a
Dos (hull 058), Milenium (hull 056) and Alborán (hull high reputation as being the most-punctual fast ferry on
052). the Strait.
Incat Chairman, Robert Clifford, said Acciona General particulars
Trasmediterránea’s return to Incat for another high-speed Built Incat Tasmania, 2006
FUDIWZDVFRQ¿UPDWLRQRI,QFDW¶VGHWHUPLQDWLRQWREXLOGRQ Length OA 97.22 m
a history of selling multiple numbers of vessels to a growing Beam 26.60 m
list of customers. Draft 3.43 m loaded
“The contract is an endorsement of the excellent business Deadweight 725 t approx
relationship between our two companies, both through the Passengers Up to 900
past deliveries of wave-piercing catamarans and also the Vehicle deck 267 cars or 380 truck lane metres
superior performance they have displayed against other plus 85 cars, or a combination of both.
high-speed craft in the region,” Mr Clifford said. Speed (max) 48 kn @ 100% MCR
Incat is embarking on an aggressive recruitment campaign &HUWL¿FDWLRQ '19?1A1 HSLC R1
to increase the workforce. The Tasmanian Government’s &DU)HUU\³%´(2&HUWL¿FDWH
Department of Economic Development is working closely DNV Speed/Wave Height Parameters
with the company to support the growth. 50 knots: 0.0 – 2.0 m SWH
Incat Europe Managing Director, Leith Thompson, expressed 45 knots: 2.0 – 2.5 m SWH
his pleasure at seeing the return of Acciona Trasmediterránea 40 knots: 2.5 – 3.0 m SWH
to the shipyard with follow-on orders based on their high 35 knots: 3.5 – 4.0 m SWH
level of satisfaction with the Incat product. 32 knots: 4.0 – 4.5 m SWH
“This contract illustrates Acciona Trasmediterránea’s 30 knots: 4.5 – 5.0 m SWH
preference for proven high-quality tonnage from a builder Seek Shelter 5.0 + m SWH
unrivalled in the field of dedicated high-speed ship
construction and after sales support,” he said.
,QFDW¶VQHZIHUU\IRU$FFLRQD7UDVPHGLWHUUiQHD
'UDZLQJFRXUWHV\,QFDW7DVPDQLD
August 2006 15
Hawaii Superferry Engine Installation New Helicopters for the RAN
The installation of the four MTU 8000 Series engines in The Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, announced
WKH ¿UVW RI WZR$XVWDO$XWR ([SUHVV PHWUH YHKLFOH in June that the Government had approved a $2 billion
passenger ferries for Hawaii Superferry (HSF) currently acquisition of thirty-four MRH 90 helicopters to replace
under construction at Austal’s USA shipyard was completed Navy’s Sea King and Army’s Black Hawk helicopters.
in June. Each 45 t engine has 20 cylinders, and produces The selection of the MRH 90 complements the Government’s
8 200 kW at 1150 rpm. The installation of all four engines decision in 2004 to acquire an initial twelve MRH 90
was completed within three weeks, ahead of schedule, in helicopters as Army’s additional troop-lift helicopter.
ZKDWZDVD¿UVWIRUWKH$XVWDO86$VKLS\DUGJLYHQWKHVL]H 'HOLYHU\ RI WKH ¿UVW WZHOYH LV VFKHGXOHG IURP 'HFHPEHU
and weight of the engines. The catamarans are the largest 2007 through to December 2009.
aluminium vessels ever built in the USA.
The 34 additional MRH 90s will be assembled in Brisbane.
7KH¿UVWIHUU\LVGXHIRUGHOLYHU\LQWKH¿UVWKDOIRI When delivered, the MRH 90s will be based at RAAF base
Construction has already started on the second ferry, which Townsville, Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney and HMAS
LV VFKHGXOHG IRU LQWURGXFWLRQ LQWR VHUYLFH LQ WKH ¿UVW KDOI Albatross in Nowra. A contingent will also be based at a
of 2009. Also under construction in the yard is the 127 m joint training facility at Oakey in Queensland.
trimaran Littoral Combat Ship for the United States Navy.
The new twin-engine troop-lift helicopters will provide
Following the completion of the design and commencement RSSRUWXQLWLHV IRU MRLQW ÀHHW PDQDJHPHQW 7KHVH EHQH¿WV
of construction, the HSF ferry owner was forced to make LQFOXGHJUHDWHURSHUDWLRQDOÀH[LELOLW\DQGHI¿FLHQF\WKURXJK
a change to the engine selection due to supply problems common operational, training and logistic systems and a
from their nominated engine manufacturer. In normal capability to rotate personnel, aircraft, spare parts and role-
FLUFXPVWDQFHVWKLVFRXOGKDYHEHHQFDXVHIRUGLI¿FXOWLHVLQ VSHFL¿F HTXLSPHQW EHWZHHQ WURRSOLIW VSHFLDORSHUDWLRQV
delivering the vessel however, commenting on the engine- and maritime-support commitments.
installation evolution, Hawaii Superferry board member,
The MRH 90 is an extremely capable helicopter featuring a
Bill Shirley said:
modern damage-tolerant design, a large cabin volume with
“The Austal design and production team adapted well to ramp and enhanced levels of marinisation.
the necessary change in engines, making it a seamless
The Sea Kings will be retired in 2010, followed by the Black
adjustment. The installation proceeded uneventfully which is
Hawks which will be progressively replaced between 2011
a compliment to those who were involved in this complicated
and 2015.
procedure.”
As these MRH 90 aircraft will be assembled in Australia,
$XVWDO86$&KLHI([HFXWLYH2I¿FHU*UHJ0HWFDOIDGGHG
WKHSXUFKDVHRIDWOHDVWDLUFUDIWZLOOSURYLGHVLJQL¿FDQW
“Now with 600 employees and growing, we have developed
opportunities for Australian industry.
a capable team, unrivalled in the USA, dedicated to high-
VSHHGDOXPLQLXPVKLSFRQVWUXFWLRQ7KHODXQFKRIWKH¿UVW Tenix joins Australian Government’s SADI
Hawaii Superferry will be a proud day for the Austal USA Program
shipyard as we demonstrate our ability to deliver large fast
On 25 July the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence,
ships for US commercial and military operators.”
Bruce Billson, announced approval of $2.8 million in
Hawaii Superferry plans to use Austal fast-ferry technology Australian Government funding through the Defence
WR HVWDEOLVK +DZDLL¶V ¿UVW KLJKVSHHG YHKLFOHSDVVHQJHU Materiel Organisation to support a major company-wide
service. Each catamaran will carry 866 passengers and training initiative for Tenix Defence under the Australian
282 vehicles and provide services connecting Honolulu to Government’s Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI)
Maui and Kauai in three hours and from Honolulu to the program.
Big Island in four hours.
Mr Billson said that, with SADI support, Tenix Defence will
Patrol Boat Progress grow and supplement its training programs over the next
The Armidale-class patrol-boat programme continues to WKUHH \HDUV LQ ¿YH NH\ SURJUDP DUHDV LQFOXGLQJ SURMHFW
make rapid progress at Austal in Western Australia. The management, systems engineering, process improvement,
contract for two additional ships, to be named Glenelg and career development and technical operations.
Maryborough ZDV FRQ¿UPHG LQ -XQH EULQJLQJ WKH WRWDO “These areas cover 26 distinct courses or training programs,
number of the class built or under construction to fourteen. some already existing, others proposed, based on expected
The new ships are named after two of the World War II work challenges and opportunities, across all divisions of
%DWKXUVWFODVVPLQHVZHHSHUV7KH¿UVW+0$6Glenelg was Tenix Defence: Marine, Land, Aerospace and Electronic
completed at Cockatoo Island in Sydney in November 1942, Systems,” he said.
whilst HMAS MaryboroughWKH¿UVWRIWKHFODVVWREHEXLOW Tenix Group Managing Director, Paul Salteri, said that the
at Walkers in Maryborough, Queensland, was completed in SADI program demonstrated Tenix Defence’s commitment
June 1941. to developing and retaining the skills needed to deliver the
Meanwhile, two more of the Armidale class have joined the industry outcomes expected by the Australian Defence
RAN. HMAS Albany, the fourth of the new patrol boats, Force.
was commissioned at Albany in Western Australia on 15 The program will provide more than 4 500 training places
July 2006 and HMAS Pirie was commissioned on 29 July across Tenix Defence over three years. Tenix Defence has
at Port Pirie in South Australia. committed $12.6 million to the skill-building program.
The Australian Naval Architect 16
Mr Salteri said that the SADI program will build on example of the world-class result that can be achieved
the company’s existing programs covering graduates, when Defence and industry work together as partners,” Mr
apprentices and professional engineers and project Billson said.
managers, and make a major contribution to up-skilling “The ships built by Tenix have been of outstanding quality
Australian Defence industry. and have been delivered on cost, on time and on budget, to
Mr Billson said that the Australian Government was a schedule revised to accommodate new capabilities.”
committed to supporting the ADF with world class
Techport Contract a Milestone for AWD
equipment, and creating a robust local Defence industry
with a strong, growing skills base. Project
“Over the next 10 years, the Government is investing up On 23 June 2006 South Australia’s Deputy Premier, Kevin
to $215 million, or 0.5% of spending on major Defence Foley, announced the awarding of a contract to McConnell
capital equipment, to help Defence industry attract and Dowell/Built Environs Joint Venture to start design work on
UHWDLQTXDOL¿HGLQGLYLGXDOVE\JHQHUDWLQJDGGLWLRQDOVNLOOHG Techport Australia, which will be the home of the $6 billion
positions, up-skilling existing employees and improving Air Warfare Destroyer contract.
skills training,” Mr Billson said. “This vital early-stage work is worth $6 million and is the
¿UVWVWDJHLQWKHSURFHVVWKDWZLOOVHHRQHRIWKHPRVWH[FLWLQJ
Last Anzac Frigate Delivered manufacturing projects in South Australian history become
On 16 June the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, a reality,” Mr Foley said.
%UXFH%LOOVRQRI¿FLDOO\WRRNGHOLYHU\RIWKHWHQWKDQG¿QDO “McConnell Dowell/Built Environs will start Phase 1 of
Anzac-class frigate, HMAS Perth, on behalf of the Royal what is known as the Common User Facility (CUF) and
Australian Navy. their job will be to plan and design a world-class facility at
Built by Tenix Defence Pty Ltd at Williamstown, the latest Osborne, which is the base for Techport Australia.
IULJDWHZDVGHOLYHUHGDVSDUWRID\HDU¿[HGSULFHFRQWUDFW “Once complete, the CUF will comprise a wharf, dredging,
worth $7 billion. ship-lift and transfer system together with associated civil
At the hand-over Mr Billson said the new Perth was a works, dry berth and associated facilities, pavements,
“flexible, capable and cost-effective warship” and her buildings, site services, communications and security
construction had drawn on the skills and expertise of systems.
hundreds of local suppliers, subcontractors and Tenix “It will be the premier ship-building facility in the southern
employees. hemisphere and will further establish our State as the defence
³7KHFRQVWUXFWLRQRIWKLV¿QHVKLSVHUYHVDVDQH[FHOOHQW hub of Australia.
August 2006 17
Australia’s Maritime Security Strengthened The consolidation of Defence operations into Operation
On 17 July the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, RESOLUTE will enhance the JOPC’s command and control
announced the consolidation of Defence’s domestic arrangements.
maritime security activities into a single operation to enhance The ADF’s capability to combat illegal maritime activities
the security of Australia’s offshore maritime areas. has been further enhanced by two Huon-class minehunters
The National Security Committee of Cabinet has authorised and the order for two more Armidale-class patrol boats.
the establishment of Operation RESOLUTE to streamline Defence is further enhancing its contribution to maritime
Defence’s contribution to whole-of-government efforts to enforcement through increased hydrographic charting of
protect Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). the northern Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait areas, and
It will lead to better coordination of Defence’s contribution increased intelligence support.
to whole-of-government efforts to improve the effectiveness New Charter for Westpac Express
of the national maritime-security regime. Proving to be the most successful and longest-serving high-
Current Defence operations to be consolidated include RELEX speed vessel in service with the US Defence Forces, Austal-
II (focussing on unauthorised arrivals), CRANBERRY built WestPac Express has been re-chartered by the US Navy
LOOHJDO¿VKLQJDQGVPXJJOLQJ&(/(67$DQG0,675$/ for a further period of up to 55 months (commencing on the
(patrols of Australia’s southern ocean EEZ), and patrols expiry of her current charter in February 2007) in which she
protecting Australia’s gas and oil infrastructure. will continue to support the operations of the US Marine
Operation RESOLUTE is commanded by the Joint Corps’ Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) in the
Offshore Protection Command (JOPC), which has assumed :HVWHUQ3DFL¿FWKHDWUH
responsibility for operational coordination and control of Originally described as a Theatre Support Vessel (TSV),
both civil and military maritime enforcement activities WestPac Express is now more-commonly referred to as a
within the EEZ. +LJK 6SHHG &RQQHFWRU +6& DQG ZDV ¿UVW FKDUWHUHG WR
Headed by Rear Admiral James Goldrick RAN, the JOPC the III MEF in July 2001 for a “proof of concept” period.
is a joint organisation of Defence and Customs and is 7KLV ZDV WKH ¿UVW WLPH WKH 86 PLOLWDU\ KDG FRQWUDFWHG D
headquartered within Customs House in Canberra. commercial vessel of this type for military support. This
charter was so successful that, after competitive tenders,
JOPC undertakes planning, surveillance, intelligence
the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) signed a
analysis and deployments to deliver a coordinated, whole-
three year charter in January 2002 which was subsequently
RIJRYHUQPHQW IRFXV RQ LOOHJDO ¿VKLQJ LQ SDUWLFXODU DQG
extended to February 2007. In 2005, MSC again sought
maritime security more generally.
competitive tenders for a new charter of up to 55 months and,
August 2006 19
after strong international competition from other high-speed 'XHIRUGHOLYHU\LQ-XQHWKH¿UVW(YROXWLRQ2QH
vessel designs, WestPac Express once more proved to offer 112 m vessel (Incat hull 064) will operate at a speed of
the best value, commercially and technically. approximately 40 knots and will have the capacity to carry
Austal’s Chairman John Rothwell, commenting on the up to 800 persons and 412 cars, or 520 lane metres of trucks
charter award, said: and 286 cars. Delivery of the second vessel to Japan (Incat
hull 065) will follow twelve months later in mid 2008.
“The renewal of the Westpac Express charter reinforces
our already strong relationship with the US Navy and Incat has recently been boosting its current workforce of
the US Department of Defence. The success of WestPac 400 personnel, taking on several former employees and
Express, which we have operated for the US Navy for over new trainees in addition to employing personnel through
¿YHDQGDKDOI \HDUV DQG WKH VHOHFWLRQ RI$XVWDO DV WKH several labour hire organisations. Mr John Harris, Managing
designer and builder of the trimaran Littoral Combat Ship Director of Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd said “We are continuing
demonstrate that we are recognised as a leader in the design to increase our workforce and anticipate a significant
and construction of high-performance aluminium vessels increase in our total employment numbers over the coming
for military applications, and that we are seen by the US months.”
Department of Defence as being a high-quality and reliable Principal particulars
supplier of ships and services.” Length OA 112.6 m
“This recognition sees Austal well placed to participate in Beam (mld) 30.5 m
future US military initiatives such as the Joint High Speed Draft 3.93 m (approx)
Vessel (JHSV) programme,” he said. Speed 40 kn
Deadweight Up to 1450 t
In May the Pentagon approved development of a new,
Total persons 800 persons
high-speed ship (JHSV) that will use technology from the
Vehicle Deck 520 truck-lane metres plus 286 cars
commercial ferry industry.
or 412 cars
The vessels will be about 97 m long, able to carry about 175
troops between islands or on other short-range missions.
The Navy wants $US554 million for the program over the
QH[W¿YH\HDUVDQGWKH$UP\DOVRZLOOVHHNIXQGLQJ7KH
White House’s most-recent budget request includes about
$US57 million in research funding, among other related
budget items. Current plans call for buying three ships in
2009, two vessels in 2010, and two more in 2011. Three of
WKRVHVKLSVDUHGHVWLQHGIRUWKH1DY\WKH¿UVWVKLSVKRXOG
be available for deployment by 2011.
Japanese Order for Incat
Incat has announced a ground-breaking contract for two
112 m high-speed vehicle-passenger catamarans for a well-
established ferry operator in Japan. This is the customer’s $QLPSUHVVLRQRIWKHPFDWDPDUDQVWREHEXLOWE\,QFDWIRU
¿UVW FRQWUDFW ZLWK ,QFDW DQG FRQ¿UPV D /HWWHU RI ,QWHQW -DSDQ¶V/LEHUD&RUSRUDWLRQ
signed in January. ,PDJHFRXUWHV\,QFDW
At a contract-signing ceremony in Tokyo on 27 May, the Solar Ferries for San Franscisco
Libera Corporation announced the order as part of its on- Two hybrid ferries powered by the wind and sun will carry
going business-development plan for the expansion of visitors to Alcatraz under a new 10-year contract between
regular passenger services between the two ports of Aomori the US National Park Service and Hornblower Cruises and
and Hakodate. (YHQWV7KH¿QDOFRQWUDFWZDVVLJQHGRQ0D\
Chairman of Libera, Mr Kenji Yamamoto, said “these To help win the multi-million dollar contract, the ferry
fast ferries are expected to approximately halve the time operator committed to build two brand-new hybrid-electric
currently taken for voyages between Hakodate and Aomori passenger vessels which maximise the use of solar and wind
by the existing ships and enhance the convenience of regular HQHUJ\ZLWK]HURHPLVVLRQVDWWKHZKDUI7KH¿UVWZLOOEH
passenger services.” built within two years, and the second by the fourth year of
Commenting on the contract from Japan, Incat’s Chairman, the contract. The hybrid vessels in the winning proposal by
Mr Robert Clifford, said “We are particularly pleased by Hornblower were designed by Solar Sailor and modelled on
this order for our largest vessels yet, as it comes from a new the Solar Sailor ferry in Sydney, Australia.
customer in an area where we believe there is enormous “Riding one of these ferries will be like switching from
potential for Incat high-speed craft.” a gas-guzzling SUV to a hybrid car,” said Teri Shore,
“The contract represents a new era for both our companies, Bluewater Network Clean Vessel’s Campaign Director.
with the introduction of large high-speed vessels to our “The ferries will get far better mileage and pollute half as
FXVWRPHU¶VÀHHWUHSODFLQJFRQYHQWLRQDOVKLSVDQGDQHZHUD much because they will run on electricity or sail much of
for Incat as the concentration of our high-speed ships to date the time.” Bluewater Network introduced the Solar Sailor
has primarily been in Europe and the Americas”. FRQFHSWWRIHUU\SODQQHUVRQWKH%D\¿YH\HDUVDJRDQGKDYH
been lobbying for such a vessel ever since.
The Australian Naval Architect 20
The new hybrid ferries will hold 600 passengers and operate HMAS Melbourne Undocked Early
DWWRNQRWV7KHYHVVHOVZLOOEH¿WWHGZLWKDODUJHULJLG
ADI Limited’s guided missile frigate (FFG) Upgrade Proj-
wing covered in solar panels which will capture sun and
ect is continuing its positive progress, with the second frig-
wind power. When conditions are right, the vessels will be
ate undocking ahead of schedule at the company’s Garden
able to sail back and forth. In extreme weather, the sail will
Island facility on 13 July 2006.
DXWRPDWLFDOO\IROGGRZQÀDWDERYHWKHGHFNOLNHDURRI
The docking phase of HMAS Melbourne’s upgrade instal-
Much like a hybrid car, large batteries on board the vessels
lation was completed on Wednesday 12 July — 16 days
will store electricity generated by the diesel generators and
HDUOLHUWKDQVFKHGXOHGWKDQNVWRHI¿FLHQF\JDLQVDFKLHYHG
collected by solar panels. The electricity then powers the
since ADI completed a similar installation in her sister ship
electric motors. While loading and unloading passengers,
HMAS Sydney last year.
the diesel engines will be turned off and run solely on
electricity. The vessels can also be plugged into shore power HMAS Melbourne will now be berthed at Garden Island
to recharge the batteries. to complete the remaining platform and combat system
PRGL¿FDWLRQVV\VWHPVLQWHJUDWLRQDQGWHVWLQJ
As needed, the vessels will operate with diesel generators
burning low-sulphur diesel fuel and equipped with air- HMAS Melbourne is expected to commence harbour trials
pollution controls which cut emissions by 70% to 90% late this year, with sea trials and subsequent hand back to
(compared to conventional marine diesels). These generators Navy anticipated for early next year. Her early undocking
charge the batteries to power the electric motors. LVWKHODWHVWLQDVHULHVRIVLJQL¿FDQWSURJUHVVDFKLHYHPHQWV
for the $1 billon project.
In the event of an earthquake or other disaster, the boats can
operate at low speeds for emergency purposes on wind and ADI handed the lead ship — HMAS Sydney — back to
electricity without any fuel, and could potentially help to the Royal Australian Navy in April and signed a Deed of
shuttle commuters across the bay if necessary. Settlement and Release with the Commonwealth in May,
formalising the project’s scope reduction from six ships
Bluewater Network works to stop environmental damage
to four and resolving all outstanding commercial and
from vehicles and vessels, and to protect human health and
contractual issues.
the planet by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Bluewater
Network is a division of Friends of the Earth — the US Vice President Thales Naval Australia and ADI Director
voice of the world’s largest network of environmental of Naval, Ali Baghaei, said that the positive schedule per-
groups, with one million supporters in 70 countries across formance on Melbourne was evidence of the disciplined
¿YHFRQWLQHQWV project management culture instilled in ADI’s naval group
over the last 18 months.
µ:LWKDH[SHULHQFHGPDQDJHPHQWWHDPFRPPLWWHGZRUN-
force and close working relationship with our customer,
ADI is delivering successful outcomes for the FFG Up-
grade project’, Mr Baghaei said.
The FFG Upgrade Project represents the most sophisti-
cated naval systems integration task ever undertaken by
an Australian company, involving both new technologies
and legacy equipment.
Central to the upgrade is the ADI-developed Australian
Distributed Architecture Combat System (ADACS). ADI is
the only Australian company to have designed, developed
and installed an Australian naval combat system.
$QLPSUHVVLRQRIWKHSDVVHQJHUVRODUIHUULHV 7XJBronzewingDWWHQGLQJ+0$6Melbourne
IRU6DQ)UDQFLVFR IRUKHUXQGRFNLQJRQ-XO\
6RODU6DLORULPDJH 'DYLG+DQFRFNSKRWRFRXUWHV\$',
August 2006 21
Omani Contract for Austal which has been incorporated into the design to allow for
emergency operations, as may be required, by the Police
In May the Sultanate of Oman and Austal signed a contract
Coast Guard.
for two 65 m, 50 kn, multi-purpose passenger-vehicle
catamaran ferries following a competitive international The vessels will be built in accordance with the requirements
tender process. and under the survey of Det Norske Veritas, conforming to
the International Maritime Organisation High Speed Craft
The identical aluminium vessels, scheduled for delivery
code (HSC 2000).
in 2007 and early 2008, have the capacity to carry 203
passengers and 56 cars or 54 lane metres of trucks plus 40 Principal Particulars
cars. The ferries are to provide a new tourism service to Length OA 64.8 m
Oman’s ruggedly spectacular northern coastline and will Length WL 61.1 m
EHWKHÀDJVKLSYHVVHOVLQWKH6XOWDQDWH¶VH[SDQGHGPDULQH Beam (mld) 16.7 m
transport and security network. Hull depth (mld) 6.2 m
Speaking on behalf of the Sultanate, H.E. Ahmed bin Hull draft (max) 2.1 m
Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and Deadweight (max) 146 t
Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Passengers 203
Resources Council, commented: Crew 12
Vehicles 56 cars
“Our requirement for these new ferries to meet the highest
or 54 truck lane metres
safety and passenger-comfort standards with very high
and 40 cars
speeds, created a challenging tender requirement. We are
Axle loads
SOHDVHGWRFRQ¿UP$XVWDO¶VLQYROYHPHQWLQWKLVLPSRUWDQW
aft main deck 9 t (single wheel)
project aimed at furthering Oman’s growing reputation as
12 t (dual wheel)
a premier international tourist destination.”
remainder of main deck 3 t (single wheel)
In thanking the Minister, Austal’s Executive Chairman, John Vehicle deck clear height 3.1 m
Rothwell responded: Helideck capacity Augusta Westland AB139,
“These two state-of-the-art passenger and vehicle high- or equivalent
VSHHG YHVVHOV UHÀHFW$XVWDO¶V IRFXV RQ WDLORULQJ PDULQH Fuel (approx) 44 000 L
transportation solutions to the operator’s individual Propulsion
needs.”
Main engines 4 u MTU 20V 1163 TB73L,
³:LWK ¿IWHHQ YHVVHOV QRZ RSHUDWLQJ LQ WKH 0LGGOH (DVW each 6 500 kW
and ten in nearby Turkey, this prestigious contract further Propulsion 4 u Kamewa 90SII
cements Austal’s commitment to, and understanding of, the Gearboxes 4 u Reintjes
unique needs of the region.” Service speed 50 kn
The Sultanate of Oman is situated on the southeast corner
of the Arabian Peninsula. The coastline extends 1 700 km
from the Strait of Hormuz in the north, to the borders of the
Republic of Yemen in the south, and overlooks three seas,
namely the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and the Arabian
Sea. The scenic Musandam Peninsula forms the country’s
northern tip, and is the intended destination for the two
Austal Auto Express ferries.
Optimised to cover the 180 n mile journey at speeds of up
to 50 knots, each ferry is to be powered by four MTU 20
cylinder 1163 series diesel engines driving a Rolls Royce/
KaMeWa waterjet propulsion system. Austal Sales Manager,
Bill Hicks, said that this powerful propulsion package was $QLPSUHVVLRQRIWKHWZRFDWDPDUDQV
selected to achieve the strict performance targets with special WREHEXLOWE\$XVWDOIRU2PDQ
consideration for the local operating conditions. ,PDJHFRXUWHV\$XVWDO6KLSV
“Oman’s approach to this contract from the outset has set a New South Wales Industry
high standard, not only in terms of performance, but equally Incat Crowther
ZLWKUHJDUGWRVDIHW\FRPIRUWDQGTXDOLW\RI¿QLVK:HKDYH Incat Crowther recently announced that Aluminium
developed an exciting new design, with many innovative Marine of Brisbane has been selected by Australian Marine
features complying with the highest international standards Experience to build a 33 m catamaran ferry for service
for passenger ferries and tailored to local Oman conditions,” between Gladstone and Heron Island on the southern tip of
he said. Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef.
Passenger accommodation features high-quality seating and Incat Crowther were asked to put forward a tender package
catering facilities, all located on a single deck with additional to a select number of yards, following the development of a
seakeeping comfort provided by a SeaState motion control vessel designed to meet a very strict set of operational and
system. environmental guidelines as required by Australian Marine
Onboard features also include a helicopter landing facility Experience.
The Australian Naval Architect 22
The vessel has been designed to carry 200 passengers and
their luggage in comfort and style. The main deck seats 142
passengers in a mix of airline-type and lounge-style seating.
7KHFDELQKDVEHHQGHVLJQHGZLWKÀRRUWRFHLOLQJZLQGRZV
and a central skylight forward to maximize natural lighting
and reduce the “closed-in” feeling. This is further enhanced
by moving the bar and toilet facilities to the aft end of the
cabin. Access to the upper deck is provided by either internal
or external centerline staircases. The upper-deck cabin has
seating for 32, with further seating for 28 passengers on the
open aft deck. The wheelhouse is located forward on this
deck and has wing control stations on the open side decks.
Passengers’ luggage is stored in covered containers on the
vessel’s aft deck and lifted aboard utilising an onboard Fassi
deck crane. This system enables baggage check-in through
to the island’s guest cabins.
The vessel will be powered by a pair of Caterpillar C32
main engines, each producing 1044 kW brake power. These
ZLOOGULYHDSDLURI¿[HGSLWFKSURSHOOHUVWKURXJK7ZLQ'LVF
gearboxes incorporating their QuickShift technology which
will offer enhanced maneuvering control for the vessel at
slow speed. When at full power the vessel will be capable
of 29 knots fully loaded.
The vessel will operate on the often-rough route from
Gladstone to Heron Island. Seasonal trade winds in the
region regularly create very short, sharp conditions in
which this vessel will be required to operate. To facilitate *HQHUDO$UUDQJHPHQWRIP&DWDPDUDQE\,QFDW&URZWKHU
'UDZLQJFRXUWHV\,QFDW&URZWKHU
WKLVWKHYHVVHOZLOOEH¿WWHGZLWKDQ0',LQWHUFHSWRUEDVHG
ride-control system as well as a raised underwing clearance
and increased hull strength to cope with locally-increased
loads.
Aluminium Marine currently have an Incat Crowther 32 m
catamaran ferry under construction for the Seychelles, due
for delivery at the end of 2006. The vessel for Australian
Marine Experience will be Aluminium Marine’s fourth Incat
Crowther vessel.
Principal particulars of the vessel are as follows:
Length OA 34.25 m
Length WL 28.86 m
Beam OA 9.50 m 5HQGHULQJRIP&DWDPDUDQE\,QFDW&URZWKHU
Draft (approx) 1.85 m IRU$XVWUDOLDQ0DULQH([SHULHQFH
,PDJHFRXUWHV\,QFDW&URZWKHU
Passengers
Main Deck internal 142
Upper Deck internal 32 Incat Crowther has been selected to design a 22 m catamaran
Upper Deck external 28 ferry for British Columbian operator, West Coast Launch.
Fuel 2 u 3500 L The vessel will be capable of carrying 118 passengers at
Fresh water 1 u 1000 L a service speed of 27 knots fully loaded. The main cabin
Deadweight 36.6 t contains seating for 76 passengers, with further seating for
Engines 2 u Caterillar C32 24 in the vessel’s upper cabin. In addition, there are a further
each 1044 kW @ 2300 rpm 18 exterior seats behind the upper cabin. The aft deck has
Gearboxes 2 u Twin Disc been arranged with two toilet spaces, two storage spaces and
QuickShift MGX 6620 a staircase. The vessel provides excellent viewing positions,
Propellers 2 u¿[HGSLWFK allowing passengers to take in the impressive scenery which
Speed 29 kn @ 100% MCR the British Columbian coastline has to offer.
Survey Marine Safety Queensland Powered by twin Cummins QSK19Ms, each producing
Construction Marine-grade aluminium 597 kW brake power, the vessel will have a service speed
of 27 knots at full load. The vessel will be built by Sylte
Shipyard in British Columbia, Canada, and is expected to
enter service late this year.
West Coast Launch is the parent company of Prince Rupert
August 2006 23
Adventure Tours which operates local wildlife tours for The main-deck cabin seats 56 passengers with an extra
spotting bears, whales, seals and eagles. They have been two places for wheelchairs. There is a small kiosk located
operating year-round since 1988 out of their Prince Rupert towards the rear of the main cabin and two toilet spaces, one
base. The company expanded in 1997 to service shipping of which is sized for disabled people. The aft deck features
DJHQWV3DFL¿F3LORWDJH$XWKRULW\%&)HUULHV3ULQFH5XSHUW a large open deck for carrying stores between the resort and
Airport Society and the local school district. West Coast the island destination. A large foredeck has been arranged to
/DXQFK KDV EHFRPH YHU\ GLYHUVL¿HG LQ LWV EXVLQHVV ZLWK seat 20 passengers and provides a second means of accessing
both commercial and tourism ventures. the open upper deck. This deck has further seating for 72
The design of the new vessel for West Coast Launch is passengers as well as the wheelhouse.
similar to that of Peppermint Bay II, which was designed by The vessel will be powered by two Cummins QSK19M main
Incat Crowther and which operates in Hobart, Tas. HQJLQHVFRXSOHGWR=)UHGXFWLRQJHDUER[HVGULYLQJ¿YH
Principal particulars of the new vessel are as follows: EODGHG¿[HGSLWFKSURSHOOHUV7KHYHVVHOZLOOEHFDSDEOHRI
operating at 27 knots in the fully-laden condition.
Length OA 22.00 m
Length WL 19.57 m The two new vessels will provide the operator with an
Beam OA 7.50 m increased level of departure times to the resort-owned island,
Draft (approx) 1.20 m while still providing that wind-in-the-hair experience in the
Passengers tropical island environment.
Main Deck internal 76 The vessels are due for delivery in December, 2006.
Upper Deck internal 24 Principal particulars of the vessels are as follows:
Upper deck external 18
Length OA 22.15 m
Fuel 4000 L
Length WL 18.85 m
Fresh water 400 L
Beam OA 8.53 m
Deadweight 12.14 t
Draft (approx) 1.01 m
Engines 2 u Cummins QSK19M
Passengers
each 597 kW @ 2100 rpm
Main deck internal 56 plus 2 wheelchairs
Gearboxes 2 u ZF 655
Upper deck internal 72
Propulsion 2 u propellers
Foredeck 20
Speed 27 kn at full load
Fuel 5678 L
Construction Marine-grade aluminium
Fresh water 1136 L
Survey Canadian Home Trade
Deadweight 18.6 tonnes
Class III
Engines 2 u Cummins QSK19M
each 597 kW @ 2100 rpm
Gearboxes 2 u ZF 665
Propulsion 2 u¿[HGSLWFKSURSHOOHUV
Speed 27 kn at full load
Construction Marine-grade aluminium
Survey USCG Sub-chapter T
Ben Hercus
EMP Composites
EMP Composites produced the complete suite of drawings
which detail the composite construction of the new Black
Watch 28, of which there are several variants. Black Watch
Boats (Australia) needs no introduction as one of Australia’s
EHVWNQRZQ EXLOGHUV RI UHFUHDWLRQDO ¿VKLQJ DQG IDPLO\
Peppermint Bay II
,PDJHFRXUWHV\,QFDW&URZWKHU cruisers. Their 28 is a “ground-up” new design. Resin
infusion moulding in female tooling has been chosen for the
Following a competitive bid process involving many high- LQRUGHUWRIXUWKHULPSURYHTXDOLW\DFKLHYHKLJKHU¿EUH
speed ferry builders in the USA, Kvichak Marine Industries IUDFWLRQVDQGYLUWXDOO\HOLPLQDWH92&HPLVVLRQV7KH¿UVW
of Seattle, Washington, were successful in securing an order hull was taken from the mould in late 2005.
for two Incat Crowther 27 kn, 150 passenger catamaran
EMP Composites was commissioned by Northshore Yachts
ferries for Luxury Resorts. The vessels have been based on
to undertake the composite engineering on an exciting
the long working history of both KMI and Incat Crowther.
new 8 m sports boat. Northshore Yachts and Bethwaite
Over this time they have developed a series of 22 m vessels
and Billoch Design joined forces last year to develop this
which are currently working in many places around the USA.
exciting new boat. Several factory visits were made to
Utilising a similar cabin arrangement to the Hawaii-based
understand the requirements, and the composite engineering
Ocean Odyssey and an upgraded hull design, the vessel
has been done with an emphasis on light weight and excellent
will operate from the El Conquistador Resort Fajardo on
FRVPHWLF¿QLVKZLWKFRVWFRQWURO7KLVFODVVLVH[SHFWHGWR
the eastern end of Puerto Rico to a local island owned by
blaze a trail across race courses in the near future.
the resort.
A decade ago, EMP’s David Lyons undertook the structural
The Australian Naval Architect 24
*HQHUDODUUDQJHPHQWRIPFDWDPDUDQIRU5HVRUW)DMDUGRLQ3XHUWR5LFR
,PDJHFRXUWHV\,QFDW&URZWKHU
August 2006 25
GHVLJQRIWKHYHQHUDEOHJDPH¿VKLQJERDWKanahoee, which Mazda vehicles destined for the United States. Operators
was built in Cairns by Dick Ward of Cairns Boat Builders, of Cougar Ace, Mitsui OSK Lines, stated that the incident
who specialise in bespoke custom game boats built to occurred during ballast-water adjustment. This adjustment
exacting client requirements. David was able to renew his was possibly due to the need to exchange ballast water prior
DVVRFLDWLRQZLWK'LFN:DUGIRUKLVODWHVWPJDPH¿VKLQJ to entering US waters. The crew of 23 were rescued by US
boat design. EMP also assisted in hull lines fairing as well Coast Guard helicopters.
as the provision of composite structure to meet Queensland Salvage efforts were hampered at times by heavy seas and
VXUYH\UHTXLUHPHQWVIRUFRPPHUFLDO¿VKLQJRSHUDWLRQV$OO the extreme list of the ship. Tragedy struck the four-man
laminates are Klegecell core/FGI-epoxy/stitched fabrics, salvage team from Titan Salvage (engaged by the owners
post-cured over male tooling. to recover the ship) when one member of the team, a
There can be nothing more iconic of the Australian lifestyle Seattle-based naval architect, slipped and fell on the ship’s
than the sight of a surfboat in action at one of Australia’s main deck. He slid some 24 m, hitting his head on the
golden beaches. EMP was recently commissioned to ship’s structure and sustained severe head injuries. He was
undertake lines development and composite engineering evacuated by helicopter to a nearby US Coast Guard cutter
for a new production surfboat design which is expected to but was declared dead an hour later.
enter the market in time for the southern hemisphere summer The tug Emma Foss took Cougar Ace in tow at 11 pm
season of 2006–2007. on 31 July. The salvage vessel Makushin Bay transferred
Although EMP is generally seen as a specialist in the pumps to the ship with the aim of transferring water to
engineering of composite materials, the company also UHGXFHWKHVKLS¶VOLVWEXWWKLVSURYHGGLI¿FXOWDQGVDOYDJH
practises in the engineering of metallic structures, as was efforts were limited until the ship could reach sheltered
demonstrated by a recent project undertaken for one of water. In particular, the salvage team attempted to remove
the world’s leading race-boat builders, McConaghy Boats. water from No. 9 cargo deck which had seeped in through
EMP was asked to carry out structural verification of the cargo ramp door on the port side and transfer it to No. 5
the steel shipping cradle manufactured to accommodate starboard ballast tank. As can be seen in the drawing below,
McConaghy’s all-conquering Wild Oats XI, the recent Rolex car carriers like Cougar Ace are composed mostly of car
Sydney-Hobart winner. The process, which resulted in a decks and ballast tanks.
series of recommendations for alterations to the design, was On Monday 7 August heavy swells caused these attempts
undertaken using EMP’s Multiframe analysis capabilities. to be abandoned until the ship reached sheltered waters in
David Lyons the Bering Sea. A double tow by the tugs Sea Victory and
Gladiator replaced Emma Foss on 7 August.
Cougar Ace
Cougar Ace was towed to a sheltered double mooring
The recent incident involving the car carrier Cougar Ace
in Wide Bay near Unalaska Island where she arrived on
LQ WKH 1RUWK 3DFL¿F KDV GHPRQVWUDWHG WKH SRWHQWLDO ULVNV
8 August.
associated with modern environmental compliance. On
23 July, when some 230 miles south of Adak Island in the At time of writing, preparations for righting the ship were
Aleutians, the ship suddenly heeled to port developing a list continuing.
of some 60 to 80 degrees. The ship was loaded with 4 813
$VWHUQYLHZRICougar AceLQWURXEOH
86&RDVW*XDUGSKRWRJUDSK
SWIFTCRAFT ™
™
NavCad
PropExpert™
PropCad™
Internationally
recognized firm
providing
engineering
services & naval
architecture
software.
13 Jenkins Court
Suite 200
Durham, NH 03824 USA
T: +1 . 603 . 868 . 3344
F: +1 . 603 . 868 . 3366
Cougar AceDUULYLQJLQ:LGH%D\ www.hydrocompinc.com
$ODVND'HSDUWPHQWRI(QYLURQPHQWDQG&RQVHUYDWLRQSKRWR
August 2006 27
Gipsy Moth IV Sails Again
Rozetta Payne
Sir Francis Chichester solo circumnavigated the world aboard the yacht Gipsy Moth IV, departing Plymouth on 27 August
1966 and returning on 28 May 1967 after covering a distance of 29 630 n miles in a total of 274 days, of which 226 days
were spent sailing. His route took him west-to-east from Plymouth, around the Cape of Good Hope and through Bass Strait
to Sydney, where he had a scheduled stop before passing through Drake’s Passage and rounding the treacherous Cape
Horn on his return to Plymouth. Cape Horn at this time was a relatively unknown frontier and appealed to Chichester’s
sense of challenge and adventure.
“I told myself for a long time that anyone who tried to round the Horn in a small yacht must be crazy. Of the eight yachts I
knew to have attempted it, six had been capsized or somersaulted, before, during or after the passage. I hate being frightened
but, even more, I detest being prevented by fright. At the same time the Horn had fearsome fascination, and it offered one
of the greatest challenges left in the world” [1].
The passage for the voyage would follow the old clipper’s way which the square-rigged wool and grain clippers routinely
used to travel between Plymouth and Sydney. Chichester extensively researched records and logs from the clippers and
subsequently wrote Along the Clipper Way, which was published in 1966. His benchmark for the voyage was therefore
to race single-handed against the average passage time set by the clippers which, by his calculations, was 100 days from
Plymouth to Sydney and 230 days to completely round the world. To achieve this would require an average daily distance
of 141 miles and an average speed of 6 knots. In his heart, though, what he “was really after was a voyage around the
world faster than any small boat had made before”. By this time, Chichester had already set numerous aviation and single-
KDQGHGVDLOLQJUHFRUGVLQFOXGLQJEHLQJWKH¿UVWPDQWRÀ\VRORDFURVVWKH7DVPDQDQGWKHQRQIURP$XVWUDOLDWR-DSDQ+H
had won numerous offshore sailing races and held the Trans-Atlantic record for single-handed sailing between Plymouth
and New York. He was also no stranger to near-death experiences after nearly being killed at Katsuura in Japan when his
SODQHFUDVKHGDIWHUÀ\LQJLQWRSRZHUOLQHV
When Chichester sailed back into Plymouth he was a national hero and his adventures have inspired many of the world’s
great solo sailors, including Robert Knox-Johnston and Ellen MacArthur whose copy of Gipsy Moth Circles the World is
quoted as being her third most treasured possession.
Gipsy Moth IV was designed by John Illingworth and Angus Primrose (who were prominent UK designers of racing yachts
at that time) especially for the circumnavigation, with a length overall (LOA) of 54 ft (16.5 m) and 38 ft 6 in (11.7 m)
on the waterline. It is obvious from reading Chichester’s accounts that there existed an element of discontent between
him and the designers in what they regarded as a suitable yacht for the task. Illingworth and Primrose wanted to design a
narrow-gutted and light-displacement yacht, typical of British ocean racing yachts of that era. Chichester, on the other hand,
wanted a shorter yacht that would be easier to handle, that conformed to 9 tons based on the Thames Measurement and
had a mainsail area no greater than 300 ft2 (27.9 m2). The Thames Measurement was a formula used in early handicapping
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STABILITY MAXSURF
RESISTANCE
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www.formsys.com
August 2006 29
Sparkman & Stephen’s cruiser/racer which competed in the 1959 Fastnet race.
When sailing under mainsail only, the manoeuvrability of the yacht was also inadequate and, during trials, a collision with
a jetty was narrowly avoided by using the motor to assist through the tack.
It has become clear that there were many faults with the design of Gipsy Moth IV. Several notable naval architects and
designers have openly commented on how unsuitable Gipsy Moth IV was for a single-hander to circumnavigate the
world. When Chichester arrived in Sydney, Warwick Hood AO and the late Alan Payne AM agreed that she was the most
unsuitable boat to sail around the world in. Don Holm in his book, The Circumnavigators, also said she is “perhaps one
of the worst racing yachts ever built”. Chichester openly laid the blame on the designers Illingworth and Primrose. When
searching the world-wide-web for information related to Gipsy Moth IV and Sir Francis Chichester, I was not surprised to
¿QGDIRUXPUHODWHGWRWKLVGLVFRUG2QHRIWKHFRQWULEXWRUVZDV$QJXV3ULPURVH¶VVRQ'DQ3ULPURVHZKRVHLQSXW,LQFOXGH
here, posted on 11 November 2005:
“The one thing I do know about the whole project is that Angus and Sir Francis did not exactly see eye to eye. I may be
seeing things from the Primrose side of the fence, but I think Angus was pretty happy when the whole thing was over. The
biggest falling out was when GMIV reached Australia, and Angus received a telegram saying that he had “proper designers
GHVLJQDQHZNHHOSUR¿OH´$QJXV¶VUHSO\ZDVVLPSOH³-XVWJHWRQZLWKLW,I\RX¶YHRQO\UHDFKHG$XVWUDOLDVKH¶VQRWHYHQ
run in yet”. I think the rest is history. Having said all that, the one thing that really did make Dad’s blood boil was seeing
GMIV, or any boat for that matter, being put in concrete. He would have been really happy to see her in the condition she
is now (apart from the addition to the keel and rudder...!)” [5].
This brought a smile to my face, as it is here that I want to discuss the alterations that were made to the yacht whilst she
ZDVLQ6\GQH\E\WKHµSURSHUGHVLJQHUV¶QDPHO\+RRGDQG3D\QH
When Chichester came through Sydney Heads on 12 December 1966, both he and Gipsy Moth IV were in poor condition.
They literally limped in, having weathered storms through the roaring 40s in the Southern Ocean between the Cape of Good
Hope and Bass Strait. They had suffered numerous knock-downs and the self-steering gear was unable to keep the yacht
RQFRXUVHZKHQVXU¿QJGRZQWKHIDFHRIODUJHZDYHVFDXVLQJWKH\DFKWWRHQGXSEURDGVLGHRQWRWKHEUHDNLQJVZHOOV
Chichester considered himself lucky that he did not roll completely through 360 degrees at times. He could not trust the
self-steering gear and had had to sail most of the journey at the tiller until he devised a means of assisting the steering
gear through the setting of backing headsails. Gipsy Moth IV had a directional-stability problem due to her underwater
SUR¿OHDQGWKHUXGGHUGLGQRWKDYHDGHTXDWHDUHDWRRYHUFRPHWKHLQGXFHGKXOOSUHVVXUHVZKHQLQFOLQHG,WZDVIRUWKLV
reason that Chichester noticed that, when the yacht heeled more than approximately 40 degrees, the boat would veer
unpredictably off course, and hence made sure his sail selection was such to keep her angle of heel below this critical angle.
The unpredictability was partially due to the hull’s short and sharp forefoot which would dig into the back face of waves
and cause the yacht to skew off course; comparable to putting a square edged spatula into a stream of running water.
7KHSULPDU\LVVXHVWKDW+RRGDQG3D\QHDGGUHVVHGZHUH¿UVWO\WKHODFNRIGLUHFWLRQDOVWDELOLW\GXHWRWKHNHHOIRUP
secondly, the balance of the rig and, lastly, the yacht’s hobby-horsing pitching problems. Despite many people trying to
talk Chichester out of completing the rest of his voyage, he was adamant that he would continue. The priority then became
to do all that could be done, in the short time available, to make the yacht as safe as possible for the seas he would likely
encounter within the vicinity of Drake’s Passage and Cape Horn.
7KHXQGHUZDWHUKXOOIRUPZDVDOWHUHGE\¿OOLQJWKHFXWDZD\UHJLRQWKDWH[LVWHGXSWRZDUGVWKHUXGGHU7KLVZDVDFKLHYHG
through the use of a thin steel plate that was wrapped around and fastened to the keel and the aft edges drawn together
and riveted. The rudder was left unaltered but, ideally if additional time had been available, its depth would have been
LQFUHDVHGWRSURYLGHDGGLWLRQDODUHDDQGKHQFHLQFUHDVHLWVHIIHFWLYHQHVV$OVRLIWLPHKDGSHUPLWWHGWKHNHHOSUR¿OHZRXOG
have been altered forward to smooth out the sharp forefoot and better distribute the lateral area which is concentrated aft,
but this was not possible.
August 2006 31
Chichester eventually set sail from Sydney on 29 January 1967, successfully rounding Cape Horn on 20 March and, as
history tells, safely made it back to Plymouth and in so doing set the following records:
x Fastest around the world by any small vessel.
x Longest passage made by a small sailing vessel without a port of call 15 500 n miles (more than twice the distance
of the previous longest passage by a single hander).
x Record for single handed speed by sailing 1400 n miles from point to point in 8 days.
x First true solo circumnavigation via the three capes making only one stop. [6]
The yacht Gipsy Moth IV would never be sailed by Chichester again, for he had another yacht, Gipsy Moth V, designed
by Robert Clark, who also designed the famous Australian 1967 Admiral’s Cup yacht Caprice of Huon. Gipsy Moth IV
would remain in a purpose built dry-dock in Greenwich, slowly rotting away. It was only recently that she was given a
new lease of life when the UK Sailing Academy (UKSA) purchased her for the token price of £1 and a gin and tonic.
UKSA is a UK-registered charity which supports disadvantaged young adults. She was subsequently taken back to Camper
& Nicholson’s boat yard where she has been restored to her former glory and, to Dan Primrose’s disdain, the keel form
DQGUXGGHUSUR¿OHKDYHEHHQPRGL¿HGDVUHÀHFWHGLQ+RRGDQG3D\QH¶VUHFRPPHQGDWLRQV0XFKRIKHUKXOODQGGHFN
timbers required replacing but, where possible, things were kept original. For example, the original pulpit, stanchions
and foredeck windlass were restored as well as the Hasler self-steering mechanism, two-burner primus stove and, most
importantly, the Baby Blake’s toilet! I wonder whether the young sailors currently sailing the yacht around the world as
part of a 40 year celebration show particular jubilation from sitting on the throne of the Founding Father of Limited-stop
Solo Circumnavigation.
Gipsy Moth IV recently visited Sydney as part of her world tour, unfortunately arriving onboard a transport ship from
New Zealand after she required repairs in Auckland due to running up on a Tahitian reef which punched a large hole in
her side. The NZ America’s Cup syndicate generously offered their services to repair the yacht. On 9 July a re-enactment
RIWKH\DFKW¶VVDLOLQJWKURXJK6\GQH\+HDGVPDUNHGWKHVWDUWRIKHURI¿FLDOYLVLWWR6\GQH\ZKLFKLQFOXGHGDZKLUOZLQGRI
functions for the crew at places such as the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and several functions attended by their Patron
Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal. As I write this article, Gipsy Moth IV is currently sailing up the Queensland coast
to Mooloolaba, and I wish her fair weather and safe passage back to Plymouth where she will be sailed each day as part
RIWKHÀHHWRI8.6$YHVVHOV
References
[1] Chichester, F. (1967), Gipsy Moth Circles The World, Hodder and Stroughton Ltd, Great Britain.
[2] Barnaby, K.C. (1967), Basic Naval Architecture+XWFKLQVRQ6FLHQWL¿FDQG7HFKQLFDO/RQGRQ
[3] Sail World, The Fabulous Fidelis,www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?SEID=2&NID=860&SRCID=
0&ntid=0&tickeruid=0&tickerCID=0.
[4] Yachtworld.com, 49’ Sparkman & Stevens Custom, www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.
jsp?boat_id=1494430&ybw=&units=Feet¤cy=USD&access=Public&listing_id=1398&url=.
>@ <DFKWLQJDQG%RDWLQJ:RUOG*LSV\0RWK'HVLJQHUVZZZ\EZFRPIRUXPVVKRZÀDWSKS&DW
Number/1095921/Main/862905
[6] Gipsy Moth IV org. Chichester Facts, www.gipsymoth.org/chichfact.asp.
Cummins Marine, A Division of Cummins Inc., 245 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters, QLD 4216, Australia
August 2006 33
FROM THE CROW’S NEST
Ian Williams AM Awards for Innovation
In the 2006 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Ian Williams was Five Australians have been honoured by The Warren
accorded the honour of being made a Member of the Order of Centre for Advanced Engineering for their achievements
Australia (AM). The citation reads “For service to transport LQLQQRYDWLRQ7ZRRIWKHVHZHUHLQWKHPDULQH¿HOGZLWK
through contributions to the improvement of international Innovation Hero Awards being presented to Frank Bethwaite,
maritime safety, and to professional organisations. founder of Bethwaite Design in Sydney, and Don Fry, owner
Before and after graduation in naval architecture at the of Aimtek (formerly NQEA Australia) in Cairns.
University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Ian worked in the Bethwaite Design is an innovative designer of sailing craft,
area of ship research at the National Physical Laboratory at and is responsible for the design of the 29er, 49er (the
Teddington and Feltham, UK. He later moved to the British current Olympic skiff class), 49er, 59er 89er, B14, Tasar
Ship Research Association at Wallsend, before joining the and Skud 18 classes.
then Department of Navy in Canberra in 1971. Subsequently, Aimtek is an Australian-owned company which specialises
after working on economic/engineering research and in research and development, design and manufacture
transport policy within the transport portfolio, he took and project management for a range of products for the
up a senior position with the forerunner of the Australian aerospace, industrial, mining and marine industries.
Maritime Safety Authority. Ian was responsible for the ship-
Peter North, chair of the Warren Centre, said at the
safety function within the Authority for a number of years
presentation: “These awards recognise individuals for
and, later, for Australia’s involvement with the International
WKHLU VLJQL¿FDQW DFKLHYHPHQW LQ FRPPHUFLDOLVLQJ D QHZ
Maritime Organization until he retired in 1998.
technology-driven product or service, raising capital and
Ian led Australian delegations to many meetings of the undertaking commercial marketing”.
IMO and chaired a number of committee meetings. He was
The awards were presented at the Innovation Lecture held
President of the diplomatic conference which adopted the
by the Warren Centre in Sydney in June.
far-reaching SOLAS amendments on ro-ro ferry safety.
He played a major role in IMO’s work on the safety of Congratulations, Frank and Don!
bulk carriers in the 1990s and was awarded the prestigious ,QÀXHQWLDO(QJLQHHUV
International Maritime Prize in 1999 by the IMO for his
distinguished contribution to safety of life at sea. He chaired Engineers Australia’s list of the 100 most-influential
the Canberra Section of RINA and was, for a time, a member engineers in Australia in 2006 includes the following:
of the Australian Division Council. Carlo Salteri, Non-executive Chairman of the Tenix
Following his “retirement”, Ian has carried out work on Group
the safety of, and regulations applying to, ocean-going and Brendon Parker, Dean of Engineering at UNSW
VPDOO YHVVHOV LQ$XVWUDOLD WKH 8.$VLD WKH 3DFL¿F WKH Don Fry, owner of Aimtek (formerly NQEA Australia) in
Caribbean and Africa. Cairns
The investiture of the AM Medal will take place in September Phil Helmore
at Government House, Canberra.
Congratulations, Ian!
THE INTERNET
Advanced Search Engine energy to get out the maps and do the calculations required
Google, one of the world’s biggest players in the Internet WR¿QGRXW"7KH0DSRUDPDZHEVLWHDWZZZPDSRUDPDFRP
search-engine business, has bought the rights to a search-en- has provided the answer, and now you can do it with a few
gine tool developed by PhD student Ori Allon in the School clicks of the mouse. Select your country, type in your city
of Computer Science and Engineering at The University of or town, and click the GO button. Then use the grey bar
New South Wales. The California-based company has also between the plus and minus signs to zoom in or out quickly,
hired Allon, the creator of the advanced search engine which and click on the map to re-centre and zoom in. The coordi-
LVVHWWRUHYROXWLRQLVHWKHZD\LQZKLFKZHFDQHI¿FLHQWO\ nates of the centre of the map are given both in degrees and
acquire information from the Internet. The technology allows minutes, and in decimal degrees, of latitude and longitude
the display of information from websites directly, without in the lower left corner of the screen.
users having to click through to separate pages. It also dis- Earthrace
plays search results for topics related to the user’s query. Earthrace is a futuristic-looking vessel designed to break the
Although working in Mountain View, California, Allon is world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat.
still a full-time student at UNSW and will continue working However, what makes this bid different is that the vessel
on the invention for his PhD. uses only renewable fuels. The vessel was designed by Craig
Maporama Loomes Design Group in Auckland, and built by Calibre
Have you ever wanted to know the latitude and longitude Boats in Whenuapai, New Zealand. She was launched on
of a particular place, such as your house, but never had the 24 February, displayed at the Auckland International Boat
Show in early March, sea-trialled out of Auckland in April,
The Australian Naval Architect 34
toured New Zealand ports and is currently en route to Canada UK, at 0704 GMT in 1st place on Saturday morning, 29 July,
and the USA. She called at Apia, Samoa, where the crew clinching the title of overall winner of the Clipper 05–06
had a well-deserved rest at Aggie Grey’s Hotel. Round-the-World Yacht Race. Durban Clipper came in sec-
The current power-vessel circumnavigation record of 75 ond overall, with New York third, and Liverpool 08 in fourth
days was set by British boat, Cable & Wireless, in 1998. place given a rousing welcome by the home crowd.
Earthrace hopes to smash this record by completing the 7KH¿UVWHYHU$XVWUDOLDQHQWU\LQWKH&OLSSHU5DFHwest-
YR\DJHLQOHVVWKDQGD\VDQGWKLVZLOOEHWKH¿UVWWLPH ernaustralia.com was affectionately known as Big Blue.
WKDWDQRI¿FLDO8,0SRZHUERDWUHFRUGKDVEHHQDWWHPSWHG Skippers David Pryce (to Subic Bay) and Mark Preedy (to
using renewable fuels. Earthrace is a showcase of envi- /LYHUSRRODQGWKHFUHZEHFDPHWKH¿UVWWHDPWRZLQWKH
ronmentally-friendly technologies, including low-emission UDFHLQWKHQHZÀHHWRI&OLSSHUVDQGFHOHEUDWHGWKHZLQ
HQJLQHVQRQWR[LFDQWLIRXOLQJDQGHI¿FLHQWZDYHSLHUFLQJ with champagne after crossing the line.
trimaran hull design. The race started in Liverpool, with each of the thirteen legs
The vessel’s program includes an 18-month tour, calling at 60 raced separately, to Cascais, Salvador, Durban, Fremantle,
cities, promoting fuels like biodiesel and raising awareness Singapore, Qingdao, Victoria, Panama, Jamaica, New York,
about the sustainable use of resources. The record attempt Jersey, Holyhead and Liverpool, with westernaustralia.com
is currently scheduled for March–April 2007, with a tour of placing 2-1-1-3-2-9-5-7-2-2-2-2-1 to take the overall win.
Australian ports in January–February 2008. For all the details, full results for the ten yachts, photographs,
For further details and pictures of this vessel, visit www. scoring, etc., visit www.clipper-ventures.co.uk/2006.
earthrace.net.
Crossword Solvers
Volvo Ocean Race Have you ever been stuck for the last word(s) to complete
The Volvo Ocean Race yachts completed their round-the- a crossword puzzle, or unable to unscramble the nine-let-
world voyage in Göteborg on 17 June. The race was won ter word to score maximum points in the letter-jumble in
by ABN Amro One, with Pirates of the Caribbean second your capital’s daily broadsheet? Help is at hand. There is
and Brasil 1 third. ABN Amro Two took the world 24 hour a host of crossword and letter-jumble solvers online. For
run record to a new high of 563 n miles for an average non-cryptic crosswords, try www.oneacross.com or www.
speed of 23.4 kn. Visit www.volvooceanrace.org to see jumble.org. For cryptics, try www.crosswordmaestro.com.
the full results for the eight yachts, scoring, photographs, Or, for access to the host, type in “crossword solver” to
and to see how much the VO70s differ from the earlier VO your favourite search engine (or meta-search engine, such
(Whitbread) 60s. as Dogpile at www.dogpile.com). These allow you to put in
any letters you already have in any location (or none), and
Clipper Round-the-World Yacht Race
give you all the possibles.
After more than 10 months of ocean racing and 35 000 n miles,
Phil Helmore
westernaustralia.comFURVVHGWKH¿QLVKOLQHDW/LYHUSRRO
RECORD DIVE
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August 2006 35
Which has Less Drag — a Fixed Prop or a Rotating Prop?
Kim Klaka
Centre for Marine Science and Technology
Curtin University of Technology
:KHQD\DFKWZLWKD¿[HGSLWFKSURSHOOHULVXQGHUVDLOWKHTXHVWLRQDULVHVDVWRZKHWKHUWKHUHLVOHVVGUDJLIWKHVKDIWLV
IUHHWRURWDWHDVFRPSDUHGZLWK¿[LQJWKHVKDIWE\SXWWLQJLWLQJHDU6DLOLQJ\DFKWVZLWKIROGLQJRUIHDWKHULQJSURSHOOHUV
GRQRWIDFHWKLVLVVXH²WKRVHSURSHOOHUVGRQ¶WXVXDOO\IUHHZKHHO%XWIRUWKHPRUHFUXLVLQJVW\OH\DFKWZLWKD¿[HGSLWFK
propeller, the question needs answering.
I have found surprisingly little data in the public domain. of drag reduction at best. The graphs show that, in most
Most ship propeller data is for geometries not used on instances, a freewheeling propeller has about half the drag
yachts, and the rest rarely give drag data at zero RPM, or the RID¿[HGSURSHOOHUUHJDUGOHVVRIERDWVSHHG,IWKHUHLVPRUH
propeller curves do not extend to the free-rotating condition. friction in the bearings, the advantage reduces, but not by
Larsson and Eliasson (1994) state that a free-wheeling much. However, the drag reduction is not as great for the
SURSHOOHUKDVRQO\RIWKHGUDJRID¿[HGRQHLQDQLGHDO narrower-bladed Campbell propellers than the wide-blade
(no friction) situation, and Gerr (1989) also states that a free- Michigan propellers; indeed, for the Campbell 3-blader,
wheeling propeller has less drag, but neither of them back WKHUH LV QR VLJQL¿FDQW GUDJ GLIIHUHQFH EHWZHHQ ¿[HG DQG
their claims with data or references. Warren (1979) comes freewheeling.
to the opposite conclusion, with some supporting evidence In summary, free-wheeling is better, but perhaps not
but not enough to check the calculations. Experimental data significantly for a low-area 3 blade propeller. The
have been published for aircraft props, but the geometries methodology I have used is less than rigorous, and the data
tested are even further removed than ship propellers from sparse. If anyone has better data or procedures, I would be
the yacht problem. Nevertheless, it is perhaps worth noting interested to hear from them.
that aircraft propeller results such as Buschert and Helrich Finally, don’t forget that some gearboxes aren’t lubricated if
VKRZWKDWSLWFKGRHVQRWLQÀXHQFHWKHUDWLRRI¿[HG the engine is not running, so free-wheeling could do some
to free-wheeling drag. damage.
The only directly useful data I have found is Lurie and My thanks to Phil Helmore and Tony Armstrong for
Taylor (1995). They tested ten different yacht propellers, contributing to discussions during preparation of this
some of which have data that can be used to answer the article.
question, albeit with some rather doubtful assumptions and
extrapolations. They have a very useful set of zero RPM References
GUDJ YV ÀRZ VSHHG FXUYHV WR REWDLQ WKH ¿[HGVKDIW GUDJ Buschert J.R. and Helrich C.S. (2002), Stationary and
for the propellers. The method they suggest for obtaining Windmilling Propeller Drag, 24 April 2002, viewable at
WKHIUHHZKHHOLQJGUDJLVWRH[WHQGWKHWRUTXHFRHI¿FLHQW www.goshen.edu/physics/PropellerDrag/thesis.htm.
(KQ) curve until it hits the zero value, read off the advance Gerr, D. (1989), The Propeller Pandbook, Nautical,
FRHI¿FLHQW -o), then move further along the J axis by an London.
DPRXQWZKLFKUHÀHFWVWKHWRUTXHLQGXFHGGXHWREHDULQJDQG Larsson, L. and Eliasson, R. E. (1994), Principles of Yacht
gearbox friction (they suggest adding an extra 0.1 to Jo) and, Design, International Marine, Camden.
¿QDOO\H[WHQGWKHWKUXVWFRHI¿FLHQW.T) curve to this J and Lurie, B. and Taylor, T. (1995), Comparison of Ten Sailboat
read off the KT value. It will be a negative quantity, showing Propellers, Marine Technology, v. 32, pp. 209-215.
that it is a drag rather than a thrust force. There is some Warren N. (1979), Freewheel or Locked Prop? Cruising
uncertainty in extending the curves, though they are fairly World, October 1979, viewable at www.shaftlok.com/
straight, and there is uncertainty in the amount by which J FreewheelStoryShaftLok.htm.
VKRXOGEHLQFUHDVHGWRUHÀHFWWKHIULFWLRQLQGXFHGWRUTXH
There is also the obvious, but important, point that these are
70%
open water values — if the propeller is in an aperture then
you can achieve big drag reductions by aligning the blades 60%
YHUWLFDOO\DQG¿[LQJWKHVKDIW 50%
3kn
5kn
I have analysed the data for two types of propeller — the 40%
7kn
than the Michigan. For each propeller type there are data 20%
August 2006 37
EDUCATION NEWS
Australian Maritime College
Graduate Opportunities
The Australian maritime engineering industry currently
appears to be very buoyant, with many opportunities
for graduating naval architects and ocean engineers. A
number of companies, including Austal Ships, BMT, Tenix,
Intec Engineering and Technip, have visited the AMC to
JLYH SUHVHQWDWLRQV WR ¿QDO \HDU VWXGHQWV DV SDUW RI WKHLU
graduate recruitment activities. In addition, the following
organisations are currently recruiting graduates: DMO,
DSTO, NAVSYS, ASC, Incat Crowther and ADI.
Build Studio
To strengthen the generic attributes of their professional
engineering graduates, the Australian Maritime College is
introducing Build Studio to supplement its existing design 2IIVKRUHMDFNHWPRGHOVEXLOWE\VWXGHQWV
activities. The aim is to progress students through building 3KRWRFRXUWHV\$0&
balsa models into full prototyping of designs in later years
of the degree, focusing on commercialisation and research main AMC campus). This particular semi-submersible is
potential. It will enable graduates to have a much greater one of only 25 mobile offshore accommodation rigs (often
ability to link theory to engineering practice, making them referred to as “Flotels”) currently operating worldwide.
PRUH YDOXDEOH WR HPSOR\HUV 7KH VLJQL¿FDQW LQFUHDVH LQ Safe Astoria recently completed a six-month stint in the
motivation exhibited by students involved in the trial of <ROOD¿HOGLQ%DVV6WUDLWDQGLVEDVHGDW%HDXW\3RLQWXQWLO
studio-based learning will be enjoyed in subjects adopting March 2007 to undertake maintenance and surveys before
the approach. FRPPHQFLQJDQPRQWKVWLQWDWRQHRIWKH5DQNLQ¿HOGV
on the Northwest shelf. Work presently underway includes
Alan Belle is the Studio Coordinator and driving force
periodic maintenance, the replacement of some deck plating
behind the development of this new delivery approach.
on the pontoons and critical joint surveys.
Stuart Bain has been appointed to support the Build Studio
requirements as Supervisor of the new Build Studio. Safe Astoria can accommodate up to a maximum of 250
personnel, but usually caters for about 120; however, a
skeleton crew of only six are presently based onboard.
AMC wishes to thank the crew, particularly Captain Hans
+HGHQGDKOIRUPDNLQJWKHDUUDQJHPHQWVDQG)LUVW2I¿FHU
Charlie Stewart and Chief Electrician Harry Taylor for their
very informative and enthusiastic commentary.
August 2006 41
“Not everything in this course will happen in such a large with Dr Sandy Day, in the Department of Naval Architecture
class. To provide diversity, students will do most of their and Marine Engineering, at The Universities of Glasgow and
work in classes run by nine of the schools in the faculty,” Strathclyde, in Glasgow, Scotland. His visit was supported
said A/Prof. Ford. In each class the work will be project by the Sir David Anderson Bequest Award. The purpose of
based, centred on a task which is relevant to that particular this award is to support the visit of distinguished scientists
engineering stream. There are thirteen projects which range and engineers to the university.
from a solar-powered device to climb a vertical rope, a In this case, the award was used to increase our understanding
sustainable dwelling, and a computer code to optimise the of unsteady resistance problems. For example, during a
movements of trains on a model train set. The Mechanical towing-tank test to determine the resistance of a ship model,
and Manufacturing Engineering project was to build the there are some circumstances in which the resistance takes
fastest car powered by the fan from a battery-powered “Dust a long time to settle down to its steady-state value. This
Buster” vacuum cleaner. Despite the variety, the projects all depends on the Froude number in the experiment and the
shared the essential features of the design process.” relative width and depth of the water, as well as the rate
UNSW Engineers, June 2006 of acceleration of the model. Another interesting example
is that of a racing shell, in which the velocity of the boat
Post-graduate and Other News
varies cyclically with the time. Both of these examples were
Application of KBE to Design of Composite yachts the subject of theoretical and experimental studies. The
Rozetta Payne is currently applying a knowledge-based experiments were conducted using the new controllable-
engineering (KBE) system to the optimisation of the acceleration carriage in the Glasgow towing tank.
structure of a yacht design for her PhD research. The KBE Glasgow was also the home to the famous Lord Kelvin
suite uses the CATIA v.5 software to provide an interactive (William Thomson, 1824–1907), whose title was derived
platform from which customised functions have been from the name of the local river and the district. He was
developed. These include composite ply-stack optimisation a professor of mathematics at the University of Glasgow.
and costing algorithms as well as trade-study and decision- Amongst his many achievements was his analysis of the
support tools. The trade-study tool allows the designer to ship-wave system. He demonstrated that, in deep water,
systematically modify the structural arrangement and review the divergent wave systems are aligned at an angle of
the effects on the structural capabilities of the design. The 19.47 degrees to the vessel’s path. He also showed that
decision-support tool provides a means for the designer to the amplitude of the wave system along that angled line,
correlate the effects of structural changes with respect to generated by a point disturbance, decayed with the one-third
best-satisfying multiple design objectives. The purpose of power of the distance from the disturbance.
the tools is to provide a lean-design environment whereby
Lawry also had the opportunity to visit the Falkirk Wheel,
D GHVLJQHU FDQ TXLFNO\ DQG HI¿FLHQWO\ DQDO\VH FKDQJHV
halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh. This is a
in a design and its parameters with respect to the design
fascinating lock system in which a wheel-like mechanism,
objectives. EMP Composites is assisting the project with
FRQWDLQLQJWZRZDWHU¿OOHGFDLVVRQVVKXWWOHVPDOOYHVVHOV
the provision of the basis design and providing technical
EHWZHHQ WKH WZR OHYHOV RI WKH DUWL¿FLDO FDQDO QHWZRUN
feedback. The research is also assisted by the Cooperative
Designed to reconnect the Forth–Clyde Canal and the Union
Research Centre for Advance Composite Structures (CRC–
Canal, and sited in a natural open amphitheatre at Rough
ACS) and Gurit SPAustralia.
Castle near Falkirk, this remarkable and elegant mechanical
Rozetta Payne marvel is the only rotating boatlift in the world and truly
Visit to Glasgow one of a kind.
Professor Lawrence Doctors recently spent a month working Lawry Doctors
THE PROFESSION
Safety Conference to Challenge Maritime be high on the agenda, since developing consistent marine
Sector administration and national standards were the core roles
The Conference of the NMSC.
The NMSC’s Marine Safety Conference 2006 will be The conference will cater for most maritime sector interests,
discussing the way forward for commercial and recreational with streams for recreational boating, commercial and
maritime safety initiatives when government and industry technical developments, training, and an Australian Marine
come together at the forum, to be held on the Gold Coast Safety Authority Shipping Symposium. On Wednesday
between 12 and 14 September. 13 September, the conference will be dedicated to the
commercial sector, with discussions on the National
The organiser, National Marine Safety Committee CEO Standard for Commercial Vessels, search and rescue, training
Maurene Horder, explained that the conference aims to be a DQGVDIHW\LQWKH¿VKLQJLQGXVWU\DQGVDIHW\PDQDJHPHQW
“platform for change” for the maritime sector. “It’s important systems. Panel discussions include the NSCV Part C
to plan for the future of the industry, so our 50 speakers Construction Standard and common standards and training
will be discussing a broad spectrum of initiatives, including for surveyors.
safety and how we meet the challenges of technological
change,” she explained. Ms Horder also emphasized that The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
national and international marine safety standards would symposium on Thursday 14 September, will explore the
INDUSTRY NEWS
ShipConstructor Releases New Software Ver- “Reacting to our clients’ needs, our software team had the
sion ingenious idea of marrying the power of a relational database
ZLWKSDUDPHWULFIXQFWLRQDOLW\²DQLQGXVWU\¿UVW´2HWWHU
ShipConstructor Software Inc. (SSI CA), developer of the
DGGHG³7KHVHEHQH¿WVDUHUDLVLQJWKHEDUIRUWKHHI¿FLHQ-
leading AutoCAD-based 3D product modeling and produc-
cies that can be achieved with shipbuilding software. The
tion planning software suite ShipConstructor™, announced
DDROM is consistent with ShipConstructor’s philosophy
on 31 July the release of their latest software version
of being intuitive and easy to use.”
— ShipConstructor 2006.
DDROM: Introducing SmartParts
“Our Database Driven Relational Object Model™ (DDROM™)
provides a quantum leap in the design for production process. ³:LWK''520\RXFDQPDNH\RXUSDUWVµLQWHOOLJHQW¶ZH
6KLS&RQVWUXFWRU¶V''520JLYHV\RXÀH[LELOLW\DQGFRQ- FDOOWKHPµ6PDUW3DUWV¶EHFDXVHWKH\DXWRPDWLFDOO\UHDFWWR
trol by managing complex interactions between associated GHVLJQFKDQJHVRIDGMDFHQWSDUWVRUSUHGH¿QHGVWDQGDUGV
parts as well as creating transparency and collaboration in updating themselves as well as the production drawings,”
the shipbuilding process,” said Rolf G. Oetter, President said Darren Larkins, chief software architect.
and CEO. “The best thing about the SmartParts is that there is abso-
The Australian Naval Architect 44
lutely no manual programming required, because you are easy to outsource parts of a design job to subcontractors or to
using standard AutoCAD drafting techniques while the perform a timed release of a project from a design company
smartness is automatically recorded and executed in the to the shipyard. Coming from the shipbuilding industry, I
database. All geometry is now stored in the database, which can truthfully say that this product is created for the users
HQDEOHVLQQRYDWLYHIHDWXUHVVXFKDVRQHFOLFNSDUWGH¿QLWLRQ and with the users.”
the ability to design once and reuse, as well as quick and For further information regarding the ShipConstructor
easy changes on the spot,” Larkins said. software suite, visit www.ShipConstructor.com.
“Our goal has always been to make our software more para- New Compact, High-performance Waterjets
metric and our team has come up with an easy and intuitive from Wärtsilä
way of doing it,” said Oetter. “The feedback from our beta
WHVWHUVKDVFRQ¿UPHGWKDWZHKDYHIRXQGDQRYHODSSURDFK Wärtsilä Corporation has introduced a new compact, high-
that is easy to learn and use, where other systems have performance waterjet which is optimised for fast vessels.
failed after years of development and high investments. The The new Wärtsilä LJX waterjet offers, in comparison with
''520FRQ¿UPVRXUPRWWRWKDWµ:HJRWKHH[WUDQDXWLFDO other waterjets available today, a 25% reduction in mounting
mile,’ and we certainly did with version 2006.” ÀDQJHGLDPHWHUDRYHUDOOZHLJKWUHGXFWLRQDQGD
increase in cavitation margin. The LJX waterjet allows
Dealing with design changes is always a challenge. Ship- further innovation in fast vessel design.
Constructor 2006 now makes it easier to deal with changes
— without having to make hundreds of small adjustments The new Wärtsilä LJX waterjet is being developed to
throughout the product model. With DDROM, all related 3D allow an optimum number of waterjets to be chosen for a
model drawings update as well as all production drawings given propulsion power requirement without requiring an
containing the changed area. This can save thousands of excessive transom width in high-speed vessels.
WHGLRXVDQGYHU\WLPHFRQVXPLQJPRGL¿FDWLRQVDQGLWSUH- Generally, when selecting waterjets, the required power
vents out-of-date production documentation being used. is distributed between multiple waterjet units to create
%HLQJDEOHWRGHVLJQDSDUWRQFHDQGUHXVHWKHFRUHGH¿QLWLRQ DQ LQVWDOODWLRQ ZLWK ORZHU ZHLJKW KLJKHU HI¿FLHQF\ DQG
many times throughout the product model is also a unique above all, lower costs than when using fewer, larger units.
feature. With DDROM, the user can simply design one frame But multiple waterjets have a penalty in increased transom
and replicate the geometry to the other frames, only having width, which is usually unacceptable in high-speed vessels
to exchange the hull trace with a click of the mouse. On a as transom width is an important vessel design parameter.
large vessel, the time and cost saved is substantial. Best of In addition, waterjets currently available on the market are
all, the parts “know” that they are related and you can change designed to cover all propulsive requirements for extremely
them all by changing one. high vessel speeds, up to more than 70 knots and, for very
The ability to react to design changes quickly with DDROM high powers, on relatively small diameters. However, the
now enables the designer to use ShipConstructor much ear- Wärtsilä LJX waterjets cut out the extremes in hydrodynamic
lier in the design process. Designers can use ShipConstruc- design parameters and are based on a completely-new design
WRUWRTXLFNO\JHQHUDWH'FODVVL¿FDWLRQGUDZLQJVIURPWKH approach to create more-compact jets with heavily-increased
3D early-design model and be off to a running start when cavitation margins.
it becomes time to start the detailed production design. It The mechanical design of the Wärtsilä LJX waterjet is
LVHYHQSRVVLEOHWRJHWDKHDGVWDUWRQLWEHIRUH¿QDOFODVV similar to that of the current Lips Jets series, with all main
approval, knowing that any changes are easily incorporated parts of the stator and the steering assembly fabricated
into the production detail model. from stainless steel plates. This approach allows Wärtsilä to
Onward and Upward DFKLHYHPLQLPXPZHLJKWZLWKPD[LPXPGHVLJQÀH[LELOLW\
It is thus possible to have not only common steering/
“With ShipConstructor 2006, we are also introducing reversing and booster jets, but also jets for fast crash-stop
numerous new features for all ShipConstructor modules, and reversing, jets with nozzle-closing devices, and jets with
such as Pipe, HVAC, Equipment, Penetrations, etc.,” inboard hydraulic systems. The oil-lubricated thrust bearing
said Jason Paterson, senior software developer. “We remains inboard in the jet room, with a water-lubricated
are also introducing an Application Programming marine bearing supporting the shaft in the stator bowl, a
Interface (API), which permits secure and stable access design choice that is made for reasons of easy maintenance,
to the ShipConstructor database. It is the same API we access and reliability.
ShipConstructor developers are using.”
Vessel Design Possibilities
Software companies are encouraged to join the fast-
growing ShipConstructor Developer Network (SCDN) The new Wärtsilä LJX waterjet makes possible new and
to develop special marine applications leveraging on the innovative fast-vessel designs. For example, 36 MW of
power of the ShipConstructor software. propulsive power in a stabilised mono-hull is typically
generated by four diesel engines. Four waterjets are then the
“Innovation is a continual process; we are already working ORJLFDOVROXWLRQEXWWKH\UDUHO\¿WZLWKLQWKHWUDQVRPZLGWK
on more new features for the 2006 version and beyond. Au- A typical compromise is the installation of two 9 MW wing
toCAD 2007 compatibility is planned for early next year,” jets and a single 18 MW central jet driven by a complex
said Steve Ivison, project manager, software development. twin-input/single-output gearbox with two reduction ratios.
“We also plan to release Project Split and Merge this fall. An alternative of using an 18 MW gas turbine instead of the
This new function will allow yards and designers to cooper- central two diesel engines is unpopular because of the fuel
ate on a new level in a safe and controlled manner. It will be consumption penalty.
August 2006 45
However, four Wärtsilä LJX jets of equal size will easily Wärtsilä to Power new Tallink Cruise Ferry
¿WLQWKHVSDFHQRUPDOO\WDNHQE\WKHWKUHHXQHTXDOVL]HG Wärtsilä Corporation was awarded a repeat order in February
units because of the 25% smaller diameter of the compact 2006 for main and auxiliary engines for the fourth new
:lUWVLOl/-;GHVLJQ7KHYHVVHO¶VRZQHUDOVREHQH¿WVIURP cruise ferry for the Estonian ferry company, Tallink Grupp
greater redundancy, and the lower logistics and maintenance AS. The ferry will be built at the Helsinki shipyard of Aker
costs of the uniform propulsion installation, with all jets and Finnyards ASA in Finland, with delivery in summer 2008.
gearboxes being identical and requiring similar parts. The Wärtsilä engines give the newbuilding a compact, low-
High-speed planing yachts may be built with two wing weight machinery plant with excellent fuel consumption.
waterjets and a large, central waterjet. Yet, for most of For this new cruise ferry, Wärtsilä will deliver the complete
the time, the vessel will usually cruise at low speed on its RXW¿WRIPDLQDQGDX[LOLDU\HQJLQHVQDPHO\IRXUF\OLQGHU
wing jets alone, with the high-powered central jet being Wärtsilä 32 main engines with a combined power of 24 000
shut down. Installing Wärtsilä LJX waterjets on the wing kW, two Wärtsilä twin-input/single-output reduction gears,
propulsion lines will give such planing yachts increased and three six-cylinder Wärtsilä Vasa 32 auxiliary engines
freedom in the choice of cruising speeds, owing to the totalling 7380 kW.
greatly increased margins for cavitation which make high
Wärtsilä has already delivered the machinery for three
acceleration thrust available at low speeds.
previous Tallink cruise ferry newbuildings, Romantika
Wärtsilä LJX waterjets also allow slightly-larger wing which entered service in 2002, Victoria I of 2004, and
waterjets to be chosen for even further increases in operating Galaxy which is due to go on her maiden voyage in May
IUHHGRP DQG ORZVSHHG HI¿FLHQF\ (YHQ ZLWK ODUJHU /-; 2006. Tallink operates in the Baltic, mainly between Tallinn,
wing waterjets, their compact design gives yacht designers Estonia, and Helsinki, Finland, across the Gulf of Finland
EHQH¿WVLQUHGXFHGZLGWKDQGDORZHUKHLJKWRIWKHMHWÀDQJH and directly between Tallinn and Stockholm, Sweden.
freeing up more space aft in the yacht for the owner’s and
The new ship will be broadly similar to the sister ships. She
passengers’ enjoyment.
will be 212 m long and 29 m wide, with accommodation
for 2800 passengers together with a large ro-ro capacity
IRUYHKLFOHVURDGWUDLOHUV0D¿WUDLOHUVFDUVFRDFKHVHWF
Passenger accommodation will include 927 cabins, several
restaurants and bars as well as a 450-seat conference centre.
The principal difference will be a greater service speed of
24.5 kn.
7KHQHZ:lUWVLOl/-;ZDWHUMHWZLOORIIHULQFRPSDULVRQZLWKRWKHU
Wärtsilä will also deliver the basic design of the engine
ZDWHUMHWVDYDLODEOHWRGD\DUHGXFWLRQLQPRXQWLQJÀDQJH room together with the workshop documentation for the
GLDPHWHUDRYHUDOOZHLJKWUHGXFWLRQDQGDLQFUHDVHLQ newbuilding owing to a change in the main engine type.
FDYLWDWLRQPDUJLQ The previous vessels in the class are each equipped with
,PDJHFRXUWHV\:lUWVLOl
four 16-cylinder Wärtsilä Vasa 32 main engines in Vee-form
First Order FRQ¿JXUDWLRQDQGWKUHHVL[F\OLQGHU:lUWVLOl9DVD/1
7KH ¿UVW :lUWVLOl /-; ZDWHUMHWV DUH EHLQJ GHOLYHUHG IRU type auxiliary generating sets.
two Incat 112 m high-speed wave-piercing catamarans for Although the Wärtsilä engines were selected mainly as a
Japanese customers. The catamarans will be delivered in repeat of the three previous ships, the change in engine
2007 from Incat’s Hobart, Tasmania, shipyard. type gives the required increased power to comply with
With a load-carrying capacity of 1500 t, these will be the the requested increased cruising speed, in a still-compact
largest catamarans to be powered by diesel engines. They machinery plant of minimum weight. The Wärtsilä 32 main
will each have capacity for more than 800 lane metres of engines also have low fuel consumption for their class,
trucks and other heavy vehicles, together with 150 cars, or, even taking into account their directly-driven engine-driven
if trucks are not carried, for more than 400 cars alone. They pumps.
will also be able to carry up to 1000 passengers.
Wärtsilä to Power Color Line’s new Skagerrak
Capable of speeds greater than 40 kn, the catamarans will
Ferries
each be equipped with four LJX waterjets having a 1500 mm
diameter impeller and an inboard layout for steering and Wärtsilä Corporation was awarded a contract in February
reversing hydraulics. 2006 for the main and auxiliary engines for two new high-
7DOOLQN¶VQHZHVWFUXLVHVKLSZLOOKDYH:lUWVLOlPDLQDQGDX[LOLDU\HQJLQHV
,PDJHFRXUWHV\:lUWVLOl
7KHPDLQDQGDX[LOLDU\HQJLQHVIRU&RORU/LQH¶VQHZ5R5RYHVVHOVZLOOEHVXSSOLHGE\:lUWVLOl
,PDJHFRXUWHV\:lUWVLOl
MEMBERSHIP
Continuing Professional Development The RINA Professional Development Manual (PDM) is
Members should be aware that membership of RINA provided to assist you in your professional development
requires you to keep a record of your continuing professional after completion of a suitable academic base. The PDM is
development. The following is extracted from RINA’s designed to be used at any stage of your career, addressing
Professional Development Manual which is available for both initial professional development prior to achieving
download from the RINA website www.rina.org.uk, or on corporate membership, application for corporate membership
CD. and subsequent continuing professional development.
August 2006 49
Standards Australia Committee CS051 Yachting Corporate Partner Members
Harnesses and Lines The Institution has welcomed Tenix Defence and Aimtek
Member Bruce McRae amongst its latest Corporate Partner members, joining
Standards Australia Committee ME059 Shipbuilding those 38 other companies that have also demonstrated
Member Bryan Chapman that commitment to the industry, their customers and their
employees.
Phil Helmore
August 2006 51
THE EFFECTS OF WEATHER ON RAN OPERATIONS
IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN
Over the last ten years, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has been required to deploy into or near the Southern Ocean
LQVXSSRUWRI¿VKHULHVSDWUROVDQGWKHUHVFXHRI\DFKWVPHQWDNLQJSDUWLQURXQGWKHZRUOG\DFKWUDFHV>@3UHVHQWWUHQGV
LQGLFDWHDIXUWKHULQFUHDVHLQWKHSUHYDOHQFHRILOOHJDO¿VKLQJRI3DWDJRQLDQ7RRWK¿VKZLWKWKHSRWHQWLDOIRUFRQWLQXHG
LOOHJDO¿VKLQJZLWKLQWKH+HDUG,VODQGDQG0DF'RQDOG,VODQG([FOXVLYH(FRQRPLF=RQHV((=
Operations in or near the Southern Ocean present RAN wave-swell heights of 3.5 m or more for 50 percent of the
personnel with the challenge of operating in some of the time, particularly in the band between 45°S and 60°S. The
most severe weather conditions in the world. To mitigate the most-noticeable seasonal change in the Southern Ocean is
risk associated with these conditions, RAN Meteorological sea ice, which extends to between 55°S and 60°S in Sep-
and Oceanographic (METOC) personnel provide weather tember or October, before retreating towards the coast of
forecasting advice to the command during such operations. Antarctica in February and March.
Furthermore, when warships deploy in or near the Southern Winds
2FHDQD0(72&RI¿FHULVHPEDUNHGWRSURYLGHPHWHRUR-
:LQGV QRUWK RI 6 ÀRZ SULPDULO\ IURP WKH ZHVWHUO\
logical advice.
quadrant throughout the year. Due to the mobility of the
The climatology of the Southern Ocean changes seasonally weather systems, blocking patterns, which bring long pe-
due to the annual heating and cooling cycle of sub-Antarctic riods of constant winds and weather in the lower latitudes,
waters. These temperature variations give rise to two distinct are rare. Mean winds show little variability from month
seasons. Winter extends from June to October, and sum- to month, averaging between 19 and 24 knots over open
mer from December to May, with short transition periods ocean. However, maximum winds in excess of 80 knots
between. Figure 1 shows the relevant synoptic pressure are recorded each month. The variation in percentage of
patterns. JDOHIRUFHZLQGVGRHVYDU\VLJQL¿FDQWO\EHWZHHQZLQWHUDQG
summer; however, strong winds above 23 knots (Force 6 on
the Beaufort Scale) are persistent for more than 50 percent
RIWKHWLPHWKURXJKRXWWKH\HDU2QHPLQRUEXWVLJQL¿FDQW
seasonal variation is the increase in much lighter northeast-
erly winds in summer in the vicinity of Heard Island. Gales
are frequent at most of the islands of the Southern Ocean,
with gusts of gale force being recorded at Kerguelen Island
almost daily throughout the year. During the passage of a
cold front, the strongest winds blow from the northwest with
a heavy overcast sky and a falling barometer, followed by
southwest winds, behind the front, as the barometer rises
and the sky clears. Near the coasts of Antarctica and Heard
Island, katabatic winds generated by sinking cold air over
glaciers or radiative cooling can occur suddenly without
warning and gust to over 100 knots.
High winds and associated turbulence adversely affect
À\LQJ RSHUDWLRQV DW ZLQGV RI QHDUJDOH IRUFH 6PDOO ERDW
operations become very hazardous in strong winds due to
the associated sea state. Furthermore, periods of high winds
are nearly always associated with periods of poor visibility
)LJXUH6XPPHUWRSDQGZLQWHUERWWRPPHDQSRVLWLRQV due to precipitation and blowing spray.
RISUHVVXUHV\VWHPV5$1
Sea Conditions
An area of low pressure known as the Antarctic Circumpolar
Sea conditions in the Southern Ocean average rough to very
Trough lies between 55°S and 70°S. This system tends to
rough throughout the year, but the swell regime shows some
generate particularly-violent weather events because, unlike
seasonal variation in the more northern latitudes. In this area,
the Northern Hemisphere, there is a continuous corridor
mean swells in winter are 4 to 5 m, reducing to 2 to 3 m
of open ocean, which allows circumpolar winds to create
in summer, as the severe swell-generating storms become
very high sea states. Frequent depressions, which vary in
less frequent and the circumpolar trough of low pressure
intensity and track, move generally from west to east at 20
moves further south. Extreme conditions of sea and swell
to 30 knots in the vicinity of this trough. They transit with
combining to over 12 m occur in all months, with expected
WKHLUDVVRFLDWHGIURQWVDWDIUHTXHQF\RIWKUHHWR¿YHGD\V
maximum wave heights occurring in most of the westerly
with a twelve to twenty-four hour gap between systems when
wind region. At times, extreme wave heights will rise to over
a weak ridge of relatively high pressure affects the weather.
35 m in the Indian Ocean sector, and such waves have been
In general, the weather is highly variable and frequently wet
encountered near the Kerguelen Islands in winter. The worst
and stormy, with cloudy skies and poor visibility for much
sea conditions are likely to occur between 50°S and 60°S in
of the time. Consistent strong-to-gale force southwest to
WKH3DFL¿F2FHDQVHFWRUDQGEHWZHHQ6DQG6LQWKH
northwest winds blow year round, causing high seas with
The Australian Naval Architect 52
Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean sectors. High sea and swell frostbite. The wind-chill factor reduces air temperature
caused by the persistent and often gale-force winds centred VXEVWDQWLDOO\ FDXVLQJ VLJQL¿FDQW SK\VLFDO GLVFRPIRUW DQG
around 50°S are a major concern for even large ships. greater chances of hypothermia.
High combined sea and swell will abort replenishment- Sea Surface Temperatures
at-sea and small-boat operations and the associated pitch Variations of 2°C or 3°C above or below the average may
DQGUROOPD\OHDYHÀLJKWGHFNVRXWRIOLPLWVIRUKHOLFRSWHU occur at any time of the year. Even greater differences are
operations. Moreover, ship handling of frigate-sized ships recorded near the Convergence Zone area where the sea
becomes hazardous in waves over 8 m and a ship’s speed -surface temperature drops to zero. Sea survival times are
of advance and ability to manoeuvre can be reduced sig- very short for personnel without proper survival suits.
QL¿FDQWO\LQVXFKFRQGLWLRQV
Icing
Weather
Though there is a number of types of icing that occur in the
In the vicinity of 50°S, the weather shows seasonal vari-
Southern Ocean, clear ice, freezing rain and freezing spray
ability with the summer bringing more rain, snow, cloud and
DUHRISDUWLFXODUVLJQL¿FDQFHWRQDYDORSHUDWLRQV&OHDULFH
fog due to increased moisture from the higher sea-surface
can form when moisture in the air freezes onto either a ship
temperatures. Days with precipitation increase from near
superstructure or an airframe. This maritime version of black
20 per month during winter to over 25 per month during
LFHLVGLI¿FXOWWRGHWHFWDQGUHPRYH&OHDULFHLVUDUHDQG
summer. Precipitation which falls south of 50°S is usually
most-commonly associated with outbreaks of extremely cold
IUR]HQZLWKH[FHSWLRQVWRWKLVLQQRUWKZHVWHUO\ÀRZVDKHDG
air over relatively warm water. This will be most common in
of cold fronts.
the autumn transition. Ice can also accumulate due to pre-
Typically, the weather associated with the passage of a cold cipitation falling as rain or drizzle and freezing when it hits
front includes overcast conditions, with drizzle and rain/sleet the deck of a ship or an airframe. Icing due to freezing rain
ahead, clearing to partly cloudy with scattered snow showers is possible in all seasons, with a maximum in summer when
behind. Weather associated with the following weak ridge of moisture levels are higher. It quickly builds up on airframes,
high pressure is initially scattered snow showers, whilst in a increasing the all-up weight of aircraft; furthermore, in the
VRXWKZHVWÀRZLWFKDQJHVWRIRJPLVWVOHHWGUL]]OHDVWKHQH[W absence of anti-icing measures it quickly collects on the
front approaches. Occasionally, these weak ridges lessen the leading edge of rotor blades reducing lift and aerodynamic
sea state allowing an opportunity for some naval operations. stability. In the Northern Hemisphere, there have been a
Warm fronts are generally associated with overcast skies, number of civil and military helicopter crashes associated
light continuous rain and areas of fog. Fogs, which are brief with this phenomenon, and all aircrews operating in such
and unusual in winter (one day/month) become more com- conditions take forecasts of freezing rain very seriously. The
mon and longer in summer (three to four days/month). They ¿QDOW\SHLVLFHIRUPHGE\IUHH]LQJVSUD\. The rate of accre-
DUHPRVWFRPPRQLQDQRUWKHUO\DLUÀRZDQGLQWKHYLFLQLW\ tion depends on the water and ambient air temperatures and
of the Antarctic Convergence Zone, which separates the very the wind speed, as they determine the droplet size. Super-
cold, and less saline, Antarctic water to the south from the structure ice accretion can occur in all seasons, being most
warmer, more saline ocean to the north. common in the south of the area in winter. In extreme winter
Operationally, a ship’s navigation radar is a valuable tool conditions, icing rates of 4 to 6 mm per hour are likely. Ice
for detecting approaching squall lines and fronts and for accumulation on ships’ hulls and superstructures can create
monitoring precipitation in the immediate area. Radar is DVLJQL¿FDQWULVHLQWKHYHVVHO¶VFHQWUHRIJUDYLW\FDXVLQJ
SDUWLFXODUO\XVHIXOLQWKH¿QDOGHFLVLRQPDNLQJSURFHVVIRU the vessel to become top-heavy. Ship designs for vessels
operations such as the launch of an aircraft or small boat. working south of the Convergence Zone need to account
Visibility for the possible increase in weight to the superstructure.
0RVWZDUVKLSGHVLJQVDOUHDG\KDYHVLJQL¿FDQWZHLJKWKLJK
Visibility outside of precipitation is generally excellent in
in the superstructure due to the need to place radars and
the cold, dry winter air, and poor in the warmer, moister
communications equipment as high as possible.
summer air. Heavy rain and thick drizzle with very low
clouds reduce visibility quite frequently in the more northern Sea Ice
latitudes. Extensive sea spray during periods where winds Sea ice occurs in a belt around the Antarctic continent.
are stronger than gale force also creates visibility problems. In winter it extends a considerable distance north into the
There are many occasions when the visibility falls below the Southern Ocean, with about 85 percent of the sea ice that
fog limit of 1000 metres in rain, sleet and snow. surrounds Antarctica melting during the southern summer.
Safe navigation, safe aircraft operations and effective air The Antarctic sea ice reaches its maximum extent in late
surveillance by land-based aircraft all rely on timely and September or early October, when its northern limit extends
accurate forecasts of visibility. However, at present, visibility as far north as 54°S in the Atlantic Ocean sector, 56°S in the
can only be inferred from prognostic and forecast charts. ,QGLDQ2FHDQVHFWRUDQG6LQWKH3DFL¿F2FHDQVHFWRU
of the Southern Ocean. The least extent is reached during
Temperatures
late February/early March. At this time ice conditions show
During February there is a gradual decrease of tempera- considerable variability; however, the sea ice is mostly
ture with increasing latitude from 10°C at 45°S to 0°C at restricted to the immediate coastline of the continent, with
60–65°S. The average August temperature over the same some regions remaining ice-free.
latitudes varies from 8°C to –12°C. For personnel with ex-
The Directorate of Oceanography and Meteorology provides
posed skin, the phenomenon of wind chill can cause severe
expertise to mitigate the risks of Southern Ocean operations.
August 2006 53
The Fleet Weather and Oceanography Centre (FWOC) FUHDWHD¿IWKZRUOGRFHDQ²WKH6RXWKHUQ2FHDQ²ZKLFK
provides 24 hour forecasting support and routinely supplies extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60°S, and
numerical weather-prediction model output, area wave and is a circumpolar body of water encircling Antarctica,
wind forecasts and Antarctic composite satellite pictures, encompassing 360° longitude. Not all nations agree with
which are interpreted by embarked METOC Teams to pro- these boundaries.
vide accurate aviation forecasts. Reproduced from Semaphore, Issue 13, 2006, published by
1. In 2000 the International Hydrographic Organisation the RAN Sea Power Centre — Australia.
delimited the waters within the Atlantic Convergence to
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August 2006 55
Vigilant’sERG\SODQ
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7KHSDWUROYHVVHOVigilantGXULQJWULDOVRQ6\GQH\+DUERXULQ-XO\
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August 2006 57