Red Funnel announce new fast ferry

[flaming]

Brand new high-speed electric ferry announced by Red Funnel

An electric foiling one to be precise....

The name behind it is interesting too...

 

[ProDave]

"In addition to reducing air pollution and noise, the fully accessible passenger ferry will use cutting-edge hydrofoil propulsion technology to 'fly' over waves — lifting the vessel out of the water, to reduce drag and provide "a smoother, quieter and more comfortable experience for passengers", the ferry company states. "

Cutting edge hydrofoil technology eh?

I remember in I think it was 1983, crossing the North Sea on a hydrofoil passenger ferry. Ok it wasn't electric propulsion, but there is nothing new about a hydrofoil passenger vessel.

It was this one GTS (19) Princesse Clementine – Past and Present

Sailing at the time Dover to Ostend.

 

[mjcoon]

Brand new high-speed electric ferry announced by Red Funnel

The name behind it is interesting too...

According to Wikipedia: "In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, ..."

Did you have the childbirth aspect in mind? ;-)

 

[flaming]

"In addition to reducing air pollution and noise, the fully accessible passenger ferry will use cutting-edge hydrofoil propulsion technology to 'fly' over waves — lifting the vessel out of the water, to reduce drag and provide "a smoother, quieter and more comfortable experience for passengers", the ferry company states. "

Cutting edge hydrofoil technology eh?

I remember in I think it was 1983, crossing the North Sea on a hydrofoil passenger ferry. Ok it wasn't electric propulsion, but there is nothing new about a hydrofoil passenger vessel.

See I thought "cutting edge" just referred to the front of the foil when it meets a dolphin or something....

 

[flaming]

According to Wikipedia: "In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, ..."

Did you have the childbirth aspect in mind? ;-)

I rather meant Iain Percy...

 

[mjcoon]

"In addition to reducing air pollution and noise, the fully accessible passenger ferry will use cutting-edge hydrofoil propulsion technology to 'fly' over waves — lifting the vessel out of the water, to reduce drag and provide "a smoother, quieter and more comfortable experience for passengers", the ferry company states. "

Cutting edge hydrofoil technology eh?

I remember in I think it was 1983, crossing the North Sea on a hydrofoil passenger ferry. Ok it wasn't electric propulsion, but there is nothing new about a hydrofoil passenger vessel.

I'm sure many other people will remember Greek island hopping on (IIRC, Russian) rough old hydrofoils...

 

[mjcoon]

I rather meant Iain Percy...

Never heard of him, but I see he is highly relevant: youtube.com/watch?v=XKstMINmKcg

 

[johnalison]

I remember in I think it was 1983, crossing the North Sea on a hydrofoil passenger ferry. Ok it wasn't electric propulsion, but there is nothing new about a hydrofoil passenger vessel.

It was this one GTS (19) Princesse Clementine – Past and Present

Sailing at the time Dover to Ostend.

I had a trip in the Jetfoil once at about the same time, maybe on the same trip! The weather had been bad and I had left my Mystere in Ostend the previous week. It was still blowing about F5 for the Jetfoil but the passage was very comfortable, and streets ahead of the awful hydrofoil trip to Calais.

I'd like to see the size of the Red Funnel battery.

 

[flaming]

I'd like to see the size of the Red Funnel battery.

Yes the technical details here will be fascinating. Presumably they'll have charging setup at at least one end. So how long does the ferry have to be stationary for to replace the energy used on the trip must be the key consideration.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I rather meant Iain Percy...

Try a google of his sister Katrina.

 

[ProDave]

I'd like to see the size of the Red Funnel battery.

It would be interesting to know the range on one charge, i.e how many crossings per charge, and recharge time. So how does recharge time affect sailing schedule?

 

[Lightwave395]

Be sure the fares will double again to ensure shareholders don't need to contribute to paying for it...

 

[Tranona]

I'm sure many other people will remember Greek island hopping on (IIRC, Russian) rough old hydrofoils...

Still in use. Did Corfu to Albania in one. Also wizzed up the Baltic from St Peterburg to visit the summer Palace in one a few years ago

 

[Davy_S]

 

[Barton Seagoon]

Red Funnel themselves used to operate hydrofoils to Cowes, before the Red Jets were introduced in the 1990's.

Red Funnel Hydrofoil Passenger Ferries - Wightpedia

 

[mjcoon]

The image of a Flying Dolphin on its foils makes it clear that heavy batteries may be OK for a displacement craft but must be a handicap for a flyer!

 

[justanothersailboat]

...It's July 3rd, not April 1st?

 

[smert]

I'm pretty sure Red Funnel were saying that there simply wasn't enough capacity in the local area to provide charging capabilities for electric cross solent ferries.

 

[capnsensible]

Not being built by Ferguson then.

 

[RobbieW]

Been on one very like that down the Tonle Sap from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. Also first traveled on a hydrofoil from Hong Kong to Macau in '64.