A Life-cycle Cost Analysis of the Application of a Hull Vane to an Offshore Patrol Vessel

The consequences of applying a Hull Vane to a Holland Class 108 m Oceangoing Patrol Vessel of the Royal Netherlands Navy were studied by means of a Computational Fluid Dynamics study using Fine/Marine. The effect on the annual fuel consumption was determined by linking the savings percentages at several speeds to the operational speed profile. This paper demonstrates that - from propulsion point of view - a reduction in total fuel consumption can be achieved of 12.5% if a Hull Vane is installed, along with a small modification to the ship’s hull. At the speed at which most fuel is consumed annually (17.5 knots), the total resistance is reduced by 15.3%. Further operational benefits were quantified, such as a reduction of the vertical accelerations at the helicopter deck when sailing in head waves (-13%), a reduction of the turbulent zone just behind the slipway enabling small craft launch and recovery (from 5 to 2.5 meters), an increased range (from 5,000 nautical miles to 5,850 nautical miles at 15 knots) and an increased top speed (from 21.5 knots to 22.1 knots).