Bulbous bow for high speed displacement craft

Abstract

The maritime industry is continuing to develop in response to new technology and customer demands. In 1998 the world's fast ferry market has been valued at approximately USD$4.5billion. Currently there are approximately 700 of such vessels around the world. Stena, for example, recently paid around £65M for their latest new vessel (Goodrich 1999). In recent years fast ferries which are capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots in water depth less than 10m has been operational. As high-speed operations move near to sensitive shorelines, complaints from the public on extensive wave wake or wake wash from these fast vessels also increase.