Saving the world on high seas
ÉireComposites, the Connemara-based innovative design, manufacturing and testing company, has signed a contract with Wavefoil, a Norwegian supplier of retractable bow foils, to manufacture the composite foils.
The retractable foils – which are nearly six metres in length and weigh over two tons each – will help to make the marine sector more sustainable and environmentally friendly with fuel savings, emissions reductions and motion damping of ships to improve the comfort on board for passengers.
In effect underwater wings, they utilise wave energy by generating thrust when the vessel moves up and down in the waves, similar to a swimming whale.
These foils will be fitted onto passenger ferries, fishing trawlers and yachts, ranging in length between 100m and 200m; the Titanic, in comparison, was 269m.
The first developed foil module was retrofitted onto a vessel by Wavefoil in September 2019 and delivered an average fuel saving of approximately 8% during the first year of operation.
Following the initial fitting, two smaller vessels have also been equipped with retractable bow foils. In 2020, Wavefoil secured funding to develop and test a prototype of a large foil module, which has the greatest fuel saving potential.
The contract with Wavefoil is an endorsement of the expertise and knowledge of ÉireComposites in developing manufacturing tools that ensure the efficient production of foils on a large scale.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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