November MareNet Event explores superyacht design
The MareNet event was held at the QinetiQ Portal Facility on 26th November and proved a vibrant environment to discuss the future of Superyacht design, recognising the important role that the South East has to play in this growing superyacht sector. Despite the tough economic environment, the annual British Maritime Federation survey indicated that Superyacht UK members bucked the trend of decline to post a substantial year on year growth rate of 15.3% in turnover, reaching a total of £410 million.
The evening started with a presentation by Chris Longmore from Drive who showed how they have utilised advanced graphic modelling tools developed for the automotive industry to design their concept Superyacht called 7C's.
The ability of designers and naval architects to create new concepts which meet the owner's requirement is a critical part of the design spiral. Chris Burden from QinetiQ GRC demonstrated how this can be achieved quickly and efficiently using their Paramarine software. He took the audience through a step by step description on how this software tool was utilised to develop the Eurydices Trimaran Superyacht concept.
The final presentation of the evening was made by Dan Craddock from QinetiQ's Maritime Platforms Team and demonstrated how a fully integrated design process is essential when creating a complex vessel such as the Partially Air Cushioned Supported CATamaran (PACSCAT). This has been designed in collaboration with BMT Nigel Gee and built by Griffon Hovercraft at Hythe Marine Park, near Southampton.
This was a good demonstration of the skills that reside within the South East of England that gives the region the ability to produce this world beating design.
In addition to ship design, QinetiQ also presented its hydrodynamic test facilities. These are used by Naval Architects to carry out a range of experiments to verify the performance of new a novel hull forms and to check that larger vessels conform to the MSC, IMO and SOLAS regulations.
QinetiQ is currently embarked on a £13m investment programme to ensure that it provides a 21st century capability to current and future clients. QinetiQ is committed to providing Superyacht designers with the ability to expand their innovation whilst knowing that they are still producing a ship which will not only meet their owner's requirements but have minimal impact on the environment.
For further information contact Ian Grant at QinetiQ on 023 9233 5130 or Mobile 07979530870.
Look out in future issues of email news for MareNet events in 2010. Alternatively email admin@marinesoutheast.co.uk and ask to be informed of events coming up.
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