USN Sea Fighter

[limeydal]

Just watched a special on the newest warship to have San Diego as its homeport. Its a 1000 ton aluminium catamaran that is capable of 60 knots
Powered by 2 diesels for routine cruising ,it kicks up to 2 gas turbine engines to really get it moving.(each turbine giving 33,600 HP )
http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/7703.htm

The interesting part of the show ,was it's use of 11 metre ribs as an integral part of its capabilities.
The ship is constructed with a special roll out ramp at the stern which can deploy a RIB even at high speed. Looked pretty impressive.
Being tested as a joint venture by the Navy and Coastguard,it is seen as the future for drug/illegal alien/terrorist intradiction.
Recovery also is conducted at high speed (well as fast as the rib can go).The rib is run up the lowered ramp while a loading loop attached to the RIB is thrown over a "sampson post" on the ramp. This then retracts and pulls the rib back on board.
On the boat schematic, showed 1 rib on the ramp with space for two more ready to deploy.
Conducting trials off San Diego; but dont think I can catch it for a photo
Well, maybe in the Bay before it picks up speed!
cheers Dal

[Wayne Rogers]

Hi Limeydal
We have this passenger ferry that go's from Harwich twice a day,I wen't across on her last year for a week-end in Amsterdam very fast.

[limeydal]

Wayne,
looks as though they share the same design ideas.
Just need some of the seats like they have on the bridge
Enjoyed checking out your web site
cheers Dal

[donutsina911]

jesus, 60kts - the closest the UK has come to anything vaguely interesting was a trimaran concept vessel called RV Triton, but it wasnt as punchy as that beast!

[Wayne Rogers]

Here's a few more of her that I took from the stern on the trip back,it was a great crossing very lumpy,it still managed to keep up a good speed,look at the wake it leaves out the back,there four of those jets,they push a fair few gallons of water through them per minute.Photo's not that great it was getting dark and there was so much salt water spraying around.

[tcwozere]

The Americans looked at this awhile ago, and although it probably wasn't capable of 60k, it more than likely gave them the idea for the one limeydal posted..

piccy's.

info, (pages 3 and 4.)

[Tideway]

Originally Posted by Wayne Rogers

Hi Limeydal
We have this passenger ferry that go's from Harwich twice a day,I wen't across on her last year for a week-end in Amsterdam very fast.

I spoke to one of the local lifeboat crew in Harwich and he reckoned that the HSS ferry maxed out at around 56kts in her acceptance trials! Obviously, that was lightly loaded, but still bloody fast for something that size!

t

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by donutsina911

jesus, 60kts - the closest the UK has come to anything vaguely interesting was a trimaran concept vessel called RV Triton, but it wasnt as punchy as that beast!

Some of the old Vosper patrol boats were pretty rapid!!!

[limeydal]

Wayne, reason it looks like some of the fast ferries ,is that it is designed by the same guy!
http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/PRINTM...Vjunfair1.html
Turns out that the Sea -Fighter is British in design
It was designed by Nigel Gee and Associattes in Southampton.
It was built and designed at the same time. That is as the sections were designed , they were sent over the web to the Nichols shipyard who produced the parts and assembled.
One of the design criteria is that the ship should have a 4,000 mile range. So it uses super efficient diesel engines driving water jets for normal propulsion ,saving the turbines for performance duty.
Another interesting design is its use of modular containers or mission pods. These are standard size 20x8x8.5 custom containers which can be loaded for specific missions.For example electronics/weapons/sleeping/sonar/ etc.
Also very automated! The 4 engine rooms are all monitored from one location by one engineer. the bridge is helmed and navigated by 2 or 3. Total crew all together is I think 26.
Great TV special about it called "Creating the X-craft" Not sure if you will get it over there but its on the "military channel "over here. Will try and get some of the footage of launching the RIBs on the web,
cheers Dal

[codprawn]

Did the prog actually say it was a British design?? Saw an American prog once about the Harrier Jump Jet - apparently the Yanks had invented it!!!!