Analysis of Sail-Assist for Navy Oceanographic Research Ships of the AGOR-14 Class

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Analysis of Sail-Assist for Navy Oceanographic Research Ships of the AGOR-14 Class

L. Bergeson / J. York

Mission requirements, fuel economy, design characteristics, and initial cost of a retrofit conversion of a AGOR-14 class ocenographic research vessel to a wing sail assisted ship are analyzed. Hardware alternatives to the wing sail are reviewed. Review and recommendations are given concerning new sail-assist vessels for the oceanographic missions and sail applications for transportation and surveillance missions. Operating statistics indicate that the AGOR-14 CLASS R/V KNORR spends 30% of her time in transit. Conventional research vessel cruise planning leads to wind statistics which are favorable to sail assist. A 3610 square foot wing sail retrofit to the KNORR would save 90 LT of fuel per year, and would not interfere with mission performance. Greater fuel savings would result for voyage scenarios with more time in transit. Potential benefits to oceanographic operations include increased fuel endurance, quiet propulsion, improved station keeping, motion reduction, and schedule reliability. Further consideration of sail-assist retrofit and/or new building is recommended. Retrofit is not recommended for the KNORR because the ship as is does not meet conventional stability criteria. The Flettner rotor is identified as a promising hardware alternative for oceanographic applications.