3D rendering of the PAMNG. Image ©MAURIC

Marine Link reports a contract for construction of a small Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the French Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGAMPA).

I have been seeing reports of sails of various sorts being added to merchant vessels in order to reduce fuel consumption, but this is the first time I have seen this applied to a modern OPV.

It is just part of their efforts to make the ships fuel efficient while minimizing emissions,

The wind-assisted propulsion solution, combined with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion and IMO TIER III compliant engines, are designed to position the vessel “at the forefront of maritime ecological transition,” wrote DGAMPA.

As with all vessel designs, there is not a silver-bullet solution to increased efficiency, and this vessel will also have a hull design optimized through computational fluid dynamics, enhanced insulation with optimized energy management, photovoltaic panels, and an active trim control system.

Based on some modest experience with sailing craft, the sail may also have the effect of steadying the ship, slowing the roll and making it more comfortable as well. In addition, with the mast apparently stepped a bit aft of amidships, and the sail aft of that, it appears that the ship would drift with its head into the wind and seas rather than broadside as most ships do.

Rendering of the PAMNG. Image ©MAURIC

54m OPV Main Particulars

• Crew: 16 persons
• Duration: 12 days, up to 200 days at sea per year
• Length: 53.7 m
• Construction: Steel hull, aluminum superstructure
• Propulsion: Diesel-electric hybrid system with wind assisted propulsion
• Maximum speed: 17 kts
• Endurance: 3,600 nm at 12 kts
• Nautical equipment: 2 semi-rigid boats of 6.50m (speed: 35 kts)
  

Main Missions

• Protection of national interests
• Maritime fisheries surveillance and control
• Environmental regulations compliance
• Pollution and navigation monitoring
• Assistance to persons
• Public service missions and representation of French Maritime Affairs Administration