The jets
will ingest a lot of oyster shells and other debris. The jet boat could
probably plow right through an oyster bar and keep right on operating

Gee, destroying the waters they're trying to research isn't exactly sound
logic. I'd also wonder how much more damage the water flow from the jets
would cause during maneuvering a boat of that size.

Not saying this as an argument for props though. More that it's dumb to
plan to go into places that will very likely cause greater harm to the
enivonment that necessary. Take a dinghy or launch instead, not some huge
vessel.

"Bill Kearney" wkearney-99@hot-mail-com wrote

(poorly thought out and semi-informed drivel)

Come on, they aren't going to intentionally go plowing through the bottom.
But, any vessel that routinely works in shallow water is bound to touch
sometime.

The bottom damaging wash of props is right down at the bottom and radiates.
The jet output is horizontal and at the surface. There is a large downward
component in reverse but at slow speeds neither this nor the suction is
going to be significantly more destructive to bottom habitat than props.

Schottle Pump Jets, another kind of water jet, were originally developed
primarily to provide propulsion over sensitive bottom areas. Only later did
they prove to be excellent bow and stern thrusters.

This is not a water sampling vessel. There are plenty of small craft to do
that job. You are not going to take the kind of gear this vessel will be
deploying in small boats.

--
Roger Long

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
"Bill Kearney" wkearney-99@hot-mail-com wrote

(poorly thought out and semi-informed drivel)

And "**** you too".

Consider it done.

--
Roger Long