Page 32: of Marine News Magazine (June 2014)

VESSEL DESIGNFuel management is an important consideration for all planing craft. If fuel budgets become an issue crew training is usually reduced with craft only launched for operational purposes. Top speeds for interceptors can exceed 60 knots, but these ?burst speeds? are rarely used as high performance boats have a recommended cruising speed linked to opti- mum fuel range. Commercial planing craft, including pi- lot boats, crew boats and windfarm support craft generally operate at fewer than 30 knots or they burn too much fuel and cannot complete the day?s work. As a result of high fuel prices in Europe, workboat and windfarm support boat operators need hard data to ensure that their transits are pro table. These vessels are on con- tracts that require them to operate continuously seven days a week, only stopped by signi cant wave height limits. Electronic COTS systems are now available that utilise var- ious sensors to record the fuel consumption history of any vessel. The systems are designed to manage and ultimately June 201432 MNMN June14 Layout 32-49.indd 32MN June14 Layout 32-49.indd 325/20/2014 10:20:51 AM5/20/2014 10:20:51 AM