Bulbous Bow

This is the bow of the Reefer vessel 'Green Concordia', moored astern of us at GreenHead Base, Lerwick. This bow is called a bulbous bow and the shape is an old patent. Ships push water aside as they move. The water that is pushed aside forms a wave that begins near the bow. The purpose of bulbous bow is to change the form and length of the bow wave. The bulb creates it's own wave that is farther forward and 'out of phase' with the natural bow wave created by the hull. Simply said: the length of the waterline is shorter and therefore the drag and resistance is less than without a bulb. It is an almost ninety year old invention and even the Japanese Navy designers fitted out their super battleships (Yamato and Musashi) with bulbous bows as early as WW-II. Especially for fast Navy ships with one draft, the increase in speed is enormous, and therefore your cost saving aspects as well. Last but not least: of course this is a Dutch invention, but that doesn't surprise me at all. Because of a Dutch saying: investments come before the profits.