Research

The Research undertaken aims to establish the potential of a sail assisted commercial fishing vessel.

Areas of research undertaken:-

• 1/5/2010 - 31/10/2011 - smart:Scotland Feasibility Study to Develop a Sail Line Fishing Vessel - Aim - to establish how effective a modern sail system could be within a commercial fishing vessel - Results - 33 % distance sailed, 17.6% reduction in fuel comsumption, 76 days extra per year with folding mast system - Balpha Mast.
• 1/5/2009 - Ongoing - Daily Log of Weather and Sea States Relative to Sail-Assisted Fishing - Aim - To collect meteorological data within Shetlands fishing grounds of wind speed & direction, swell height, suitablity of conditions for sail fishing in 15 meter vessel. Results - 69% days per year suitable for sail fishing.   

                                    Balpha Mast demonstration 2011 

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