USN Sea Fighter

limeydal · 21 January 2006, 04:26

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 · 21 January 2006, 07:27

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 · 21 January 2006, 17:02

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 · 21 January 2006, 17:38

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 · 22 January 2006, 09:16

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 · 22 January 2006, 09:24

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 · 22 January 2006, 12:23

Quote:

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 · 22 January 2006, 17:07

Quote:

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 · 23 January 2006, 03:33

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 · 23 January 2006, 03:53

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!!!!

yoyo · 23 January 2006, 07:24

This is a good ride: Newhaven-Dippe. 50+ knts i belive.

limeydal · 23 January 2006, 23:24

Codprawn,
actually they admitted it

Must be a first.

They showed footage of Mr Gee on the waterfront at his Southampton location and had several clips of them interviewing him.
He discussed the criteria the USN had given him and how he accomplished it.
Still working on getting clips(having to re-instal my capture card on the pC) so quality wont be great ; but will be proof

Funny the Navy RIB crew were actually wearing the exact helmets I had posted on a couple of weeks ago. So they can't be too bad!
cheers Dal

limeydal · 12 February 2006, 00:27

Managed to spot the Sea Fighter while out on the Bay today.
She was tucked well away and fenced in so couldnt get too near,but got a quick shot. Next job is to actually catch her out on the water,so I can see the RIB ramp

Then on the way back saw this strange freighter! The perspective seemed all wrong until I got closer and saw it was a model! Well not quite as the guy sits in it and steers it around the Bay. Wierd things in California

Oh ,and my favorite, The California heading straight for me

cheers Dal

columbiachop · 12 February 2006, 04:02

grandpa's got some free time on his hands.

boatster_sr4 · 12 February 2006, 05:14

Where do you sit inside that thing? I don't see how the adult can fit. Maybe the kid. Did you see them actually get in and drive it? Maybe its one of those test ship things they use for training?

limeydal · 12 February 2006, 16:02

The whole of the bridge superstructure hinged forwards so the person could fit inside.When that is closed, the person looks through the slit(above the No Smoking sign ) to steer.
I thought it was an RC model at first, then noticed the registration tag,. so had to be a paasenger carrying vessel and also the antenae is for VHF not a RC frequency.
Didnt see if it was "granpa"or the kid that was inside, as they were pulling it on the trailer when I caught up.
Looking at the hull shape and center of gravity,my bets on the kid

cheers Dal

codprawn · 12 February 2006, 17:13

There have been a few models like this over the years - saw some guy with an aircraft carrier - it was even bigger than the model in your photos - also there were some model tamkers etc they used for training - looked really funny - suppose they used them before they had computer sims!!!

limeydal · 12 February 2006, 18:42

yes, seen a few models over the years like this. But it was the first I had ever seen where someone was actually inside ,piloting the thing!

Drew quite a crowd at the ramp.
Propulsion was just an electric fishing/trolling motor.(You can just make it out, bolted to the side. ).
cheers Dal

codprawn · 12 February 2006, 18:54

http://www.warsashcentre.co.uk/c-ship.shtml

They STILL use them for training!!!

And they are MCA approved for learning to drive oil tankers - crazy or what???

John Kennett · 12 February 2006, 19:17

I wonder how much the "Manned Model Ship Handling Course" costs. Sounds like a laugh

John