The Ship
The Project
A maritime education and adventure training combination
has proved to be outstandingly successful overseas, but has
not been pursued to this major extent in the UK.
In the year 2000 the Government appealed for projects that
would provide "structured and challenging activity within
an educational experience". It responded with enthusiasm
to the FSP21 proposals.
Broad and flexible educational and professional
programmes for a wide range of young people, combined
with the acknowledged benefits of adventure training under
sail, will ensure year-round appeal and commercial viability.
School leavers will be positively linked to the worlds of
work, university, research and vocational training.
The £80m procurement will be raised from a combination of sources. An Operating
Agency, set up as a Charitable Company limited by
guarantee, will oversee the design and build of FSP21
through an operating subsidiary, which will also manage the
ship in service.
Structure
Modern technology will be fully integrated into the vessel
from the first design stage and the design is for a ship life
well in excess of 100 years. Modern, environmentally
friendly materials and surface coatings will be used, with
emphasis on their ‘green’ credentials, for the internal decks
and superstructure, for fire protection, noise and corrosion
control.
She is to be constructed in a similar way to that of Chinese
junks centuries ago, being built in sections and then joined
together at the shipyard.
Technology / Environmental Issues
The technology chosen to power the ship has been selected
with the environment firmly in mind. The ship will be the
first major sailing vessel to use photovoltaics in the sails.
It is estimated that the rechargeable energy stored will provide electrical power
for the ship to move at 10 knots and meet the hotel load for
around 30 hours. Power can also be generated using trailing
propellers and wind generators.
The electronic controls on the diesel engines allow the use of
bio-diesel from 100% bio through to sulphur free mineral
diesel fuel.
New eco-friendly materials will be used throughout the vessel.
Research into their utility as well as into reducing to zero all
diesel exhausts will be a high priority.
Size
The ship will be 157m/515 ft long, 4,000 tonnes, four
masted (mainmast height 305 ft/93m, mastheads can be lowered to
enable ship to pass under major bridges), outstandingly elegant
with an environmentally neutral impact.
She will have a range of 6,000 plus miles for world-wide
operation and will have a speed of up to 18 knots (21 mph) under
sail; 20 knots (23 mph) under multi-engined diesel-electric
power.
The ship is also designed to provide accommodation for 300
people – 200 trainees, 65 crew, 35 VIPs and passengers.
Time to Build
The build timescale of the ship will be approximately 30
months from the time the build contract is awarded. Prior to
this six months will be required to produce build drawings
and the specification. Overall the project will take three
years from drawings to completion.
Crew
All those sailing in the vessel, including the passengers if
they so wish, will assist with its operation. A number of
academic staff will be qualified to at least watch leader level
whilst others will assist with the day to day running of the
ship.
In total the ship will have the ability to accommodate 180
trainees plus 20 scientists at any one time.
Facilities and Accommodation
The ship systems will demonstrate modern marine
technology in all areas, including the bridge, communication
and control centres, public rooms, accommodation, and
exhibition and conference areas.
The bridge will feature a fully integrated system linking
navigation equipment with digital plotting, steering and
propulsion controls. Ship safety, including fire detection and
security, will be continuously monitored and immediate
on-line emergency intelligence provided. Secure
international communications will be available, and
appropriate security measures built in.
The ship will have four classrooms which can be set-up to
suit the subjects being pursued as
well as three lecture theatres. Scientific facilities aboard will
range from wet and dry laboratories through to computer
analysis suites and bottom mounted sonar scanning
systems.
The ship will have accommodation including 2 VIP suites, 10 double berth
passenger cabins, together with lounge and dining facilities.
The design of these facilities will be through
national competition.
The vessel will also be equipped for industrial and
commercial exhibitions and conferences, and provide
corporate entertainment facilities. When not in use cabins
can easily be moved to create up to 400 square metres of
exhibition space.