Zero Emission Foiling Trimaran

There are many 'diesel powered' fast ferries operating on short routes carrying between 20 to 145 passengers into Southampton with the Cowes-Southampton route being the most popular. Previous research concludes that the occupancy rate is typically 28%, meaning that the ferry often carries between 25-45passengers.
The advent of electric powered cars demonstrates that the technology exists to power low drag, small craft of medium payload. This project looks to develop an electric hydro-foiling high-speed trimaran, capable of carrying up to 40PAX on routes including Cowes to Southampton and others including Hythe or Calshot to Southampton, thus removing traffic from the roads.
The reason for developing a trimaran configuration with foils, is that it can reach displacement speeds of 15 knots with very low drag. Once the Trimaran reaches15 knots, the foils have lifted the sponsons initially, then the central hull clear of the water. The foiling trimaran will increase in speed to about 28-30 knots for a relatively small increase in power.
Research to date estimates the power required for a 20m, 20 tonne 40 PAX Tri-foiler using two approaches. The first method relies on classical tank tests completed at Solent University, which when combined with Lifting line theory calculates the total drag and power required from low to foiling speeds. The second calculates the power required using CFD. Several speeds were analysed ranging from full displacement through to semi-foiling and then fully foiling speeds. Both methods concurred similar results. Summarising, the Tri Foiler could reach28knots using two electric motors and associated battery power as per a typical electric family car (2 x 125kW motors). An equivalent 40 PAX carrying 'diesel-powered' catamaran operating at 25 knots requires 800-1500kW of power. This demonstrates that the new concept would be an innovative step forward.
The vision for the project is to build a 12m demonstrator Tri Foiler to prove that the concept is viable and can operate in a range of weather and sea conditions. The battery technology and control of the foils will also be demonstrated to check for fit for purpose operation as a fast ferry on the intended waterway.
Assuming success, the full-size vessel can be developed for commercial operation which will provide a viable solution for a zero-emission medium size ferry. This could be used on Southampton water and eventually sold into a wider fast ferry market, both in the UK and abroad.

The advent of electric powered cars demonstrates that the technology exists to power low drag, small craft of medium payload. This project looks to develop an electric hydro-foiling high-speed trimaran, capable of carrying up to 40PAX on coastal routes. For example in the Solent region Cowes to Southampton, or Hythe to Southampton, thus removing traffic from the roads.
Research shows to date that a very low drag, hence low power requirement, Trimaran Foiling ferry has the potential could reach 28knots using two electric motors and associated battery power as typically used on a modern electric family car (2 x 125kW motors). An equivalent 40 PAX carrying 'diesel powered 'catamaran operating at 25 knots requires 800-900kW of power. Thus, the required power is a fraction of that required by today's diesel powered catamarans, and has the potential to be powered by zero emission electric motors.
The vision for this project is to build a 12m demonstrator Tri-Foiler to prove that the concept is viable and can operate in a range of weather and sea conditions.The electrical and foiling technology will need to be proven for use afloat and evaluated for suitability as a fast ferry on the intended waterway.
Following successful demonstration, a full-size 40 passenger carrying vessel can be developed for commercial operation which will provide a viable solution for ferry operators as a zero-emission medium size ferry. This could be used on Southampton water and eventually design iterations of the vessel can sold into the wider fast ferry market, both in the UK and abroad.