Cruising goes green with sail-power catamaran
The Seabreeze is 104.5 metres in length and capable of sailing in shallow waters thanks to its 4 metre draught. Its dual hull design helps counteract listing under sail to maintain stability for the 200 guests it can accommodate.
“Sustainability is critical but cruise shipping also needs to continuously reinvent itself,” said Trond Sigurdsen, senior architect and partner, YSA Design.
“A sustainable ship which brings environmentally conscious guests closer to the sea and reaches destinations others cannot is a clear opportunity at the premium end of the cruise market.”
The catamaran will be propelled by four 50m foldable sails mounted on six metre high bases. Onboard power will be through hybrid battery engines running on green bio-methanol which can also provide propulsion if wind speeds are insufficient.
Two 18.2m wide hulls will be connected by an inverted U-shaped structure spanning 18.5m, with the vessel’s two-deck central superstructure incorporating the bridge and some public spaces. Each hull would include four decks plus a ‘yacht top’, with room for 100 dual occupancy guest cabins and 155 crew.
“Seabreeze aligns closely with contemporary thinking on destination-based cruising, where a ship gliding in under sail would not disturb wildlife and would be a welcome visitor anywhere,” said Sigurdsen.
“A 21st century wind-powered ship could even drive revival in communities which suffered with the demise of sail.”
