3 ms·

Somehow I feel that if this ekranoplanes (or sea gliders, changing the name doesn't change the substance[1]) start being employed massively, having these thingi

by jaclaz 4y ago

Somehow I feel that if this ekranoplanes (or sea gliders, changing the name doesn't change the substance[1]) start being employed massively, having these thingies zipping at >100 mph on water won't be particularly appreciated by maritime authorities, that will introduce any number of specific regulations. Besides the electric powering, the general idea can be appreciated in the vidoes of this company in Singapore (that at least has built the actual vehicle): https://www.wigetworks.com/ https://www.wigetworks.com/ AFAICU the sea needs to be flat or almost flat, which I believe it's not very common in the ocean near the Hawai, no idea how it would behave with waves. [1] they were once called GEV (Ground Effect Vehicles), now they seem to be called WIG (Wing in Ground Effect)

contingencies 4y ago
Given this is being marketed more for law enforcement and high-speed ferry applications (read: rich people who want transit to island resorts), I don't think the shipping industry will be in a position to complain - or nearby. It is certain these will have AIS + radar + GPS (and potentially ADS-B) which should be enough to resolve any issues. Reading the background, however, it seems this design was largely purchased from Germany and tested 20 years ago and it is unclear how much innovation they have actually made and whether they can bring something to market. I wonder if they would consider doing a desert hopping version for central Australia?
- jaclaz 4y ago
  If you compare these to planes, planes have airways, and have different flight levels on a same airway (and all the technology you mention + 2 pilots capable of using that technology + air control) . If you compare these to cars, cars have roads. Imagine a very large square where cars are free to go up to 180 MpH with the "only" rule that the car coming from the right has precedence, which is more or less what boats/ships do now (but they do this at 0-40 MpH top). Not that the possible issues cannot be solved, but surely there will be the need of a license that - if not directly comparable to a commercial airplane license - will be anyway much more complex than a plain boat license.
  - contingencies 4y ago
    Boats/ships also have shipping channels: any somewhat busy waterway will have defined lanes. Ships of any size have to broadcast where they are, current speed and heading. Small boats generally move slowly. Visibility on water is typically much better than on roads. But yes, accidents are possible.
- Turing_Machine 4y ago
  There are a lot of people who ride ferries (even over considerable distances) who aren't necessarily "rich people". Island nations like the Philippines come to mind immediately.
  - contingencies 4y ago
    Yes, this tech won't be cheap enough for most of those use cases up front. The primary saving vs. prior tech is time, and only some can afford to pay. Law enforcement, military, and rich people come to mind. The vessels you mention tend to be car ferries, or at least large passenger numbers and simultaneously function as general goods ferries. Such vessels have far heavier tonnage, so the energy overhead for achieving lift-off would exceed reasonable storage capacities.

by jaclaz 4y ago

contingencies 4y ago

Given this is being marketed more for law enforcement and high-speed ferry applications (read: rich people who want transit to island resorts), I don't think the shipping industry will be in a position to complain - or nearby. It is certain these will have AIS + radar + GPS (and potentially ADS-B) which should be enough to resolve any issues. Reading the background, however, it seems this design was largely purchased from Germany and tested 20 years ago and it is unclear how much innovation they have actually made and whether they can bring something to market. I wonder if they would consider doing a desert hopping version for central Australia?

jaclaz 4y ago
If you compare these to planes, planes have airways, and have different flight levels on a same airway (and all the technology you mention + 2 pilots capable of using that technology + air control) . If you compare these to cars, cars have roads. Imagine a very large square where cars are free to go up to 180 MpH with the "only" rule that the car coming from the right has precedence, which is more or less what boats/ships do now (but they do this at 0-40 MpH top). Not that the possible issues cannot be solved, but surely there will be the need of a license that - if not directly comparable to a commercial airplane license - will be anyway much more complex than a plain boat license.
- contingencies 4y ago
  Boats/ships also have shipping channels: any somewhat busy waterway will have defined lanes. Ships of any size have to broadcast where they are, current speed and heading. Small boats generally move slowly. Visibility on water is typically much better than on roads. But yes, accidents are possible.
Turing_Machine 4y ago
There are a lot of people who ride ferries (even over considerable distances) who aren't necessarily "rich people". Island nations like the Philippines come to mind immediately.
- contingencies 4y ago
  Yes, this tech won't be cheap enough for most of those use cases up front. The primary saving vs. prior tech is time, and only some can afford to pay. Law enforcement, military, and rich people come to mind. The vessels you mention tend to be car ferries, or at least large passenger numbers and simultaneously function as general goods ferries. Such vessels have far heavier tonnage, so the energy overhead for achieving lift-off would exceed reasonable storage capacities.