IMAA PACSCAT Concept
IMAA has developed a novel form of craft able to carry substantial payloads at relatively high
speeds. The Partial Air Cushion Supported CATamaran (PACSCAT) embodies specially shaped
catamaran sidehulls with partial air cushion support. The air cushion is generated by installed
fans and is retained between fore & aft seals. These limit the air loss and result in the vessel
having a shallow draught and reduced resistance.
This concept has been the subject of a European Commission funded study intended to develop
a suitable design for river freight operations. The "PACSCAT" project (EC no. GRD2-2001-50116)
commenced in 2002 with fourteen European partners and nearly Euro 1M of support under the
European Community Growth programme. Its goal was to develop low wash vessels designed
to operate on the Rhine and Danube carrying payloads of about 2000t with a service speed of
around 20kt (37km/hr). The hull draught had to be as little as 1.5m to cope with shallow water
conditions.
IMAA was responsible for the technical & scientific administration of the "PACSCAT" study,
and led the design team which included:
White Young Green Structural Consultants
Germanischer Lloyd
Wartsila Propulsion Netherlands
Witt & Sohn Fan manufactures
Checkmate Avon Seal manufactures
The project was co-ordinated by Marinetech South. Hydrodynamic support was provided by
the Ship Science department of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences at the University of
Southampton. The University was also responsible for the financial control of the project.
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