Another commercial vessel using the skysail system.
www.abc.net.au/news/2010-03-09/german-fishing-boat-flies-giant-kite-to-save-fuel/357202
We all know the power of the kite, but as a professional aircraft pilot, I found this comparison of power really interesting! This quote is from Skysails.
SkySails propulsion is already in use aboard the cargo ships “Beluga SkySails” owned by Beluga Shipping, as well as on the “Michael A.” and “Theseus” of the Wessels Shipping Company. The system is currently being installed on two other cargo new builds, and the Hamburg-based manufacturer SkySails has a number of additional orders on its books. The concept of towing-kite wind propulsion has proven itself fully capable on board ship, and the tractive forces that were measured make the SkySails-System the most powerful and effective wind-propulsion system in the world. Thanks to its unique physical properties, the system produces between 5 and 25 times more power per square meter than conventional sail propulsion. A 160m2 SkySails generates a tractive force of 8 metric tons, which is comparable to the thrust of an Airbus A318 engine.
Remember that old Naish training DVD where they use a big old kite to tow around half a dozen islanders in an old wood canoe. They were hooking!
