Bulbous Bow...........

[svenning]

A young sailor standing on the bulbous bow of the container vessel "Arthur Maersk".

Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 6-72mm ASPH (FZ20)

[moikle]

Superb photographs that lead me to two questions.

1 Why is he there? (Inspecting for damage?)
2 How did he get there?

Mike

[stuny]

Svenning -

Is this a modern alternative to the old nautical punishment of keal-hauling? Excellent, nearly shocking photos.

[svenning]

Dear Mike and Stuart,

The young cadet wanted to have his picture taken while standing on the bulbous bow with a 352 metres long container vessel as a background.

So during a launching of the Rescue Boat - we dropped the cadet off on the bulbous bow - inorder to take the photograph :-))

And Stuart - no this is not a new way of keel-hauling - but thank you for the idea anyway - I will certainly keep that in mind :-))

All the best - Svenning, Denmark.

[biglouis]

Very interesting pictures and all credit to you and the young cadet for creating them.

I did not realise, until looking at the second picture how far the bow extends forward. What is its purpose? Does it contain equipment of some kind and why is it extended in that way?

LouisB

[jmr]

Svenning,

dramatic form and colour in the first shot - nicely realised.

[svenning]

Dear Louis Berk,

The purpose of the bulbous bow is to reduce water resistance when the vessel is progressing through the water.

If the bulbous bow is formed correctly it can reduce water resistance up to 10 percent and for a vessel using 300 metric tonnes of fuel oil per day - there are a lot fuel-savings to gain.

All the best - Svenning, Denmark.