With the recent third round of site allocations for offshore wind farms in extended UK waters, new challenges for efficient operation and maintenance require new solutions to be provided for technician and equipment transfer out to 200 nm from shore. Based on the ongoing work at Cranfield University, a representative methodology for the design of an innovative Aerodynamically Alleviated Marine Vehicle (AAMV) is demonstrated. This process builds upon previous work including theoretical and experimental models, culminating with the summary of a preliminary design for a vessel of similar capability. Utilising aerodynamic efficiencies of wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft, it is shown how a vessel can be equipped with lifting surfaces in order to alleviate the weight of the vehicle, leading to a lower effective displacement, drag and required power. The design spiral of conventional marine craft is modified to include the relevant considerations to equilibrate the aerodynamic forces and moments. Some areas of current and future work are discussed, with experimental results presented.
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