Andy Champ wrote:

renewontime dot com wrote:
snip
I didn't mean to imply that -all- big ships operate at speeds over 30
knots, I was trying to make a point in reply to the original posters
question and some of the misconceived replies, ie. "at least an hour
will pass from when I see a contact on the horizon to when it will hit
me". My point is that ships at sea operate at a wide variety of speeds,
even in excess of 30+ knots, and as a cruiser you need to be aware of
this. As for "high speed" ships out there, I think you guys are off on
this. All the newer ships are being built to operate at 30 knots or
greater. There are a number of "fast" container and oil carrier ships in
the works, and shipbuilders are starting to deliver "fast" ferries that
will operate at 40+ knots. And it won't stop there, I've read that the
designers have plans for ships that will operate at 50 to 60 knots.


Fascinating. I'd like to learn more - can you point me at any web
sites? I can't find anything much over 25kts.


fast = expensive, expensive means no go in commercial shipping unless the
cargo is very very time sensitive, so that's all bulk and refrigerated and
container loads out, you're pretty much down to passenger stuff and short
run stuff like ferries.

http://www.nassco.com/cdc/csp.html

oh yes, don't forget the military, they can go very very fast, but they get
a bollocking for the fuel consumed so need special permission, eg war
footing.



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