The SkySail Freighter

[hellosailor]

The SkySail freighter has put to sea.

Article at the NYTimes:
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/20.../index.html?hp

[tdw]

Interesting stuff and it will be even more interesting to see how it all pans out long term. It would appear to be a no lose situation. Uses less fuel and presumably therefore lets off less pollution but if there projected figures are correct they save heaps on running costs. Won't bring my freight costs down of course , merely increase the bottom line for the shippers but such is life.

While those of us with a touch of the greenie about their person would welcome any move that will give us cleaner air , if measures such as sail assisted ships only come about it will be because it is economically beneficial.

Maybe skyrocketing oil prices are not so bad after all. One would also hope that we will see significant improvements in battery technology in the next few years. In fact I find it strange that improvements in battery technology are so slow in coming. While there have been great strides made in solar charging technology the same cannot be said about the batteries themselves. I guess we will only see this as the need for electric cars increases with fuel shortages and spiralling fuel costs.

[Sapperwhite]

I wonder if they can berth it under sail

[speciald]

Terribly small kite for that displacement. They do intend to increase the kite size in future trials.

[camaraderie]

Giu has a bigger spinnaker!

[artbyjody]

My prediction: The first time that sail comes down and covers the bridge completely.... concept will be dropped...

[sailaway21]

Count me sceptical that anything like the projected savings will be realized. this thing has inefficiency written all over it, not the least of which is that ships no longer follow the prevailing wind patterns in the course of their voyages.