External electric drive propulsion module arrangement for SWATH vessels

摘要

A SWATH vessel (10) has a superstructure (14) supported by strut members (16) from a pair of pontoons (12) and each pontoon (12) has a propulsion module (18) removably attached to the rear end of the pontoon (12). The propulsion module (18) has a self contained propulsion system including a module body with a longitudinal water passage (22), a rim drive electric motor, a row of rotatable blades (24), and an inlet opening (28) at the forward end of he cowl member (20) which is arranged to draw in the boundary layer of water flowing along the pontoon (12) to which the propulsion module (18) is attached. Spaced vanes (30) are provided at the inlet opening (28) to block objects from being drawn into the longitudinal passage.