Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/826629
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 MAY 2017 Motoring & Boating III Mayower: the pioneering trimaran that will cross the Atlantic without crew Shuttleworth Design, MSubs and Plymouth University are working on the Mayflower project, which aims to design, build and sail the world's first full-sized, fully autonomous unmanned ship across the Atlantic Ocean DETAILED plans for the May- flower Autonomous Research Ship have been unveiled. The trimaran has been de- signed by Shuttleworth Design in partnership with Plymouth University and the autonomous craft specialists MSubs. At over 100ft in length, May- flower will use state-of-the-art wind and solar technology for its propulsion enabling an unlimited range. There will be no crew on board, and the trimaran will carry on board a variety of drones through which it will conduct experi- ments during its voyage, which is expected to take between 7-10 days. Following a year-long test- ing phase, the planned Atlantic crossing in 2020 will mark the 400th anniversary of the original Mayflower sailings from Plymouth, England to Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. Initial funding is now in place, and scale models of the Mayflow- er are being prepared for testing at Plymouth University's Marine Building. Speaking about the project, father and son, John and Orion Shuttleworth, said: "Our ap- proach to developing the concept was to fully explore and take ad- vantage of the opportunities that arise from not having to carry crew, and to create a vessel that is capable of using only renew- able energy." "Working within the limitations of renewable energy sources has given a clear direction to the developing form of the vessel." They said a trimaran was cho- sen because it "provides the most efficient hull form for low speed motoring." "The hull configuration de- veloped from a requirement to reduce windage, while keeping the solar array sufficiently high above the water to reduce wave impact." "Without the need for accom- modation, the centre hull has been kept low to the water and the wings and deck are separated and raised above on struts. This allows waves to break through the vessel and significantly reduces roll induced by wave impact. The outer hulls are de- signed to skim the water reduc- ing resistance by 8%," said John and Orion Shuttleworth. Mayflower will have a two-mast soft sail rig, which will enable a top speed of around 20 knots. Each sail is simply controlled by a single sheet, and can furl into the boom and allow multiple reefing configurations for varying wind speeds. Stowing the sails while motor- ing reduces windage and elimi- nates shadows cast over the solar cells on the deck, while allowing the masts to stay standing to carry navigation lights. Mayflower will be built by the Plymouth-based firm MSubs, which has expertise in building autonomous marine vessels for a variety of global customers. The multi-million pound pro- ject is part of Plymouth Univer- sity's 'Shape the Future' fundrais- ing campaign.