Waterborne transportation has long played an important role in the United States. It has not, however, taken advantage of technical advancements achieved in the past 20 years in the development of amphibious air cushion vehicles (ACV) and surface effect ships (SES). These craft employ the air cushion principle where a volume of pressurized air is contained beneath the structure of a craft and the water surface thereby reducing resistance, improving ride quality and passenger comfort, and enabling higher speed. The amphibious fully-skirted air cushion vehicles have evolved in both England and the United States. The United States, however, has clearly led in the development of the partially-skirted, solid-sidewall surface effect ship, primarily oriented to military requirements. This paper examines the implications of this type vessel for civil applications. The fundamental characteristics of SESs are examined in comparison to planning hulls and hydrofoils. Those characteristics of the SES that should be of interest to owners and operators are reviewed and commented upon. Specific performance capabilities of SES boats of 65, 85, 110, and 133 feet are presented, as well as discussions regarding the associated machinery. Fundamental information regarding hull material selection for SESs is also presented.


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    Title :

    SES Program, Civilian Application


    Contributors:
    J. J. Kelly (author)

    Publication date :

    1977


    Size :

    27 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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