Atlantic Ocean in three days

2002/01/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Garraioak

Today, merchant ships need about 7 days to cross the Atlantic side by side. Within two years, the trip may take place in 3 days if several business projects become a reality.

The most important factor that prevents merchant ships from taking a great speed is the “wave of captive”. The captive wave is a wave that moves with the boat and that is produced by the thrust of the boat, and when the boat overcomes the speed of the wave, generates great problems of friction. This phenomenon makes modern merchant ships not exceed 42 km/h of speed.

Engineer Nigel Gee wants to use the Pentamaran design to overcome the captive wave and put at 70 km/h merchant ships. The containers will be longer and narrower than conventional ones, generate fewer waves and will be able to cross them.

The company FastShip Atllantic follows the same goal, but instead of building narrower ships, they will have a very deep and V-shaped bow and a shallow and crushed pop. This hydrodynamic design will significantly reduce the friction of the captive waves.