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The Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) is a hull form used for vessels that require a ship of a certain size to handle in rough seas as well as a much larger vessel. An added benefit is a high proportion of deck area for their displacement — in other words, large without being heavy. The SWATH form was invented by Canadian Frederick G. Creed, who presented his idea in 1938 and was later awarded a British patent for it in 1946. It was first used in the 1960s and 1970s as an evolution of catamaran design for use as oceanographic research vessels or submarine rescue ships.
Catamarans provide large, broad decks, but have much higher water resistance than monohulls of comparable size. To reduce some of that resistance (the part that generates waves), as much displacement volume as possible is moved to the lower hull and the waterline cross-section is narrowed sharply, creating the distinctive pair of bulbous hulls below the waterline and the narrow struts supporting the upper hull. This design means that the ship's floatation runs mostly under the waves, like a submarine (the smooth ride of a sub was the inspiration for the design). The result is that a fairly small ship can run very steady in rough seas. A 50-meter ship can operate at near full power in nearly any direction in waves as high as 12 meters
The S.W.A.T.H. theory was further developed by Dr Thomas G. Lang, inventor of improvements to the semi-submerged ship (S3) in about 1968. Basically, a SWATH vessel consists of two parallel torpedo like hulls attached to which are two or more streamlined struts which pierce the water surface and support an above water platform. The US Navy commissioned the construction of a SWATH ship called the 'Kaimalino' to prove the theory as part of their ship research programme. The Kaimalino has been operating successfully in the rough seas off the Hawaiian islands since 1975.
'Chubasco' - built in 1986 by Ocean Systems Research Ltd - marine grade aluminium
Swath designs are more expensive to produce than conventional twin hulled vessels. The advantage to such a design is that a significant proportion of the hull remains below the surface of the sea. For this reason wave contact is reduced where it may only act on the thin leg areas. Wave drag is a major component of the total drag on a vessels hull. For this reason the hull is more stable, being less prone to pitching and rolling and requires less power for propulsion than conventional designs.
A
Swath design wastes proportionally less energy climbing
wave peaks and accelerating down troughs. The
passage is smoother. The below surface hull (in
normal operating conditions) is subject to laminar (or
pipe) friction, which is more predictable. The SSC
Radisson Diamond is an example of a commercial ocean
liner claiming to offer unrivaled cruise comfort.
Click here for more information SWATH
hull design Deck
plans.
SWATH TECHNOLOGY FOR DIVING PLATFORM
The
Nekton Pilot shown below, utilizes Small
Waterplane Area Twin Hull technology to provide the
smoothest ride for a small vessel.
The
Nekton Pilot is the 32nd SWATH in the
world and the only SWATH designed and
engineered from the ground up specifically for scuba
divers. The Nekton Pilot measures 78 feet (25
meters) long and 40 feet (12 meters) wide.
Nekton Pilot SWATH diving boat
Telephone via calls via satellite can be placed anytime while onboard via pre-paid satellite calling cards which can be purchased onboard.
http://www.global-travel.co.uk/swath.htm
SWATH LINKS:
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