Vessel hull configuration

Abstract

A vessel ( 10 ) comprising a hull ( 15 ) having a the Longitudinal Centre of Flotation (LCF) at the design load waterline ( 25 ) at rest with a value of less than about 35% of the vessel waterline length measured from the aftermost point ( 19 ) of the vessel waterline. The design vessel speed at design load waterline is at or above Froude Number of 0.45. The hull ( 15 ) has a length-to-beam ratio on the design waterline of greater than about 8.0. The Longitudinal Centre of Buoyancy (LCB) is between about 30% and 45% of the vessel waterline length measured from the aftermost point ( 19 ) of the vessel waterline ( 25 ). In one arrangement, the vessel ( 10 ) may comprise a single hull vessel. In another arrangement, the vessel ( 10 ) may comprise a multi-hulled vessel.

1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A vessel comprising a hull having a LCF at a design load waterline at rest with a value of less than about 35% of the vessel waterline length measured from the aftermost point of the vessel waterline, wherein a design vessel speed at design load waterline is at or above Froude Number of 0.45, wherein the hull has a length-to-beam ratio on the design waterline of greater than about 8.0, wherein the vessel is configured as a trimaran comprising a centrally located main hull and two side hulls, and wherein the main hull constitutes said hull. 
     
     
         16 . The vessel according to  claim 15  wherein the LCF is between about 30% and 34% of the vessel waterline length measured from the aftermost point of the vessel waterline. 
     
     
         17 . The vessel according to  claim 15  wherein a slenderness ratio of the vessel, described as the length on the design waterline divided by the cube root of the volume of displacement in consistent units, is greater than 7.0. 
     
     
         18 . The vessel according to  claim 15  wherein the vessel waterline length is between 24 metres and 250 metres. 
     
     
         19 . The vessel according to  claim 15  wherein the LCB is between about 30% and 45% of the vessel waterline length measured from the aftermost point of the vessel waterline. 
     
     
         20 . The vessel according to  claim 19  wherein the LCB is between 34% and 42% of the vessel waterline length measured from the aftermost point of the vessel waterline. 
     
     
         21 . The vessel according to  claim 15  configured as a ferry.