Support service improves crossing time and fuel efficiency.
The image below has been filtered from our Atlantic fleet to
show two Lagoon Catamarans that recently departed France bound for Tortola.
Sea Runner departed La Rochelle on the 19th October, two
days after the Lagoon 450#561 had departed from Les Sables d’Olonne. Today Sea
Runner shows a clear lead and closer to their destination. Click on image to zoom in
The route chosen by each is clearly different. Sea Runner
had the benefit of our new Sea Router Service. The Lagoon 450 did not.
The Captain on the 450 took the tradition and more
conservative route, choosing a direct course via the Canaries to the Cape Verdes
Islands to pick up the trade winds. In contrast Sea Runner took a more northerly
route via the western side of the Canaries and completely avoiding the Cape Verdes.
With daily forecasts and waypoints provided to the captain
of Sea Runner he was able to take a route, confident that he could make
efficient use of the winds ahead. At times the courses followed was not the
most direct but zigzagged downwind as she gybed to make her best VMG along the
rhumb line to Tortola.
It should be stressed that these boats are not racing. There
is no bonus or kudos attached with beating another boat on delivery. These
boats are independent and are unaware of each other or any of the other boats
we have crossing at the same time. Each captain’s objective is to look after
the boat they are on and to make an efficient and safe passage.
Now that Sea Runner has passed the 450 we expect the
distance between them to increase.
The added benefit of making efficient use of winds is
reduced fuel consumption. Sea Runner has been able to conserve so much that she
is now able to motor sail the remainder of the voyage should she choose to. The
Lagoon 450 must continue to ration its fuel reserves. At time of writing this
there is less than 100 miles between them. Sea Runner is making 8.2 kts, the
450 only 4.5 kts.
The benefits of the Sea Router Service to our clients
include;
- Shorter delivery times
- Reduced fuel costs
- Improved charter availability
- Reduced risk from severe weather
- More accurate ETAs
.
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