VESSEL HAVING A HIGH-SPEED PLANING OR SEMI-PLANING HULL

摘要

A vessel having high-speed planing or semi-planing hull comprising: (a) a first portion (12) located at the bow and configured to provide a forward planing portion; (b) a second portion (13) aft of the first portion comprising a shallow cavity (14) having a forward end defined by a step (15) extending across the hull at the forward end of the second part, a rib (16) located to each side of the hull for the length of the second portion; (c) a pressurised air source provided in the vessel and connected to the cavity (14) to deliver air under pressure to the cavity through an outlet (17) whereby the air is distributed substantially evenly into the cavity and in a manner which does not disturb the surface of the water below the cavity (14); and (d) a third portion aft of the cavity (14) providing a seal at the aft end of the cavity in the form of an aft profiled surface formed with one or more channels (20) extending from the cavity (14) to the stern to permit the controlled flow of air from the cavity (14) such that a substantial portion of the third portion has no contact with the air flowing from the cavity.