I don’t tolerate fools and there seems to be enough evidence here to indicate this ship is not being built in a manner intended for it to last or function well as a trading vessel. These people are silly dreamers spending money that isn’t theirs…that is why I am down on them.
I wish them well too. I think the boat is being adequately built. My guess is that it will end up in the passenger trade and many tourists will enjoy sailing on her.
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They obviously made a BIIIG mistake; they didn’t engage c.captain as an expert advisor. 
There are a lot of projects under development involving wind powered ships.
All types of sails are envisaged:
I’m more partial to this project:
May I propose good wine, Cognac and cheese for the west bound trip??
Don’t have any proposal for the return trip. Any suggestions??
I love the fully rigged “sail powered cargo” ship.
It’s so considerate of the designers to put little round windows all the way along the hold so the cargo can look out and watch the world go by.
And what’s that ensign (so badly hoisted)?
That is an illustration showing the Dutch clippership Noach:
Want to know more about the EcoClipper project? Here is a link:
I’ve now looked at the Noach on the EcoClipper project and assume it is fantasy. No mechanical propulsion whatsoever the blurb says. Best of luck paying for tugs to get her in and out of harbour and still making a living carrying cargo.
I might have mentioned I actually sail a square rigger and we have engines and propellers which are indispensable if such a ship is to operate safely and efficiently. The winds here are reasonably consistently from the southern quarters and with a best close hauled apparent wind of 60 degrees, 10 degrees of leeway and a bit more for inexperienced helmsmanship, I’d be at sea for weeks to round Cape Leeuwin on the south western corner of Australia. I’ve read of square riggers of old spending weeks to make such roundings against the wind which could otherwise be achieved motor sailing for a day.
All wonderful if you have the time and patience. Nobody does these days.
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Vanuatu
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Green fuels are still very expensive compared to normal bunkers, but surely the cost of operating a small containership on some kind of biofuel is still going to be lower per box than the expenses of break bulk, expensive Western crews of a large size relative to the tiny amount of cargo, the scheduling issues caused by the inability to motor, etc. Not to mention in the case of the Costa Rica ship, the issues with wood.
I’m going to hazard a guess that the hypothetical “small french fry powered container ship” would not command the premium in the eyes of customers, however. The “green premium” could turn out to be a “romance of sail” premium.
Thanks. I have been to Port Vila in Vanuatu but prior to this flag which I see was introduced in 1980. I wonder why it is depicted flying on a ship like this?
The Picton Castle based in Lunenburg flies the Vanuatu flag. About five years ago, the owner also converted a laid up trawler out of there and flagged it to the same to provide cargo and passenger service within the Cook islands.
I’m no expert, but I think Vanuatu is a common flag of convenience for specialty ships. I’ve seen several seismic ships and the like.
The Picton Castle is flagged in the Cook Islands.
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Good call. The trawler was bound from NS to Vanuatu when I spoke to them last and I wrongly assumed the Picton Castle was under that flag because it’s the same owner.
Vanuatu flag is popular with US companies operating OSVs around the world.
Have a look at the TDW fleet. (Maybe they are part owners of the registry??)
Vanuatu Ship Registry is HQ in New York and run by Americans:
http://www.vanuatumaritimeships.com/Contact_Document.ASPX
PS> Some US owned Drill ships working in the GoM are flying Vanuatu flag as well.
anyway, to get back to these new vessels like CEIBA or this proposed “EcoClipper”…their rigs are very antiquated and not efficient from both a sailing or operations standpoint. Way too much labor is required but unless you are able to recruit crew based on pure romance and pay them accordingly, how can a very small cargo vessel make any form of profit at all? Sailcargo states on their website"
" A strong financial return for up to a century"
This idea is NOT practical from any business standpoint and in the end is nothing more than an effort in selling an idea based on lies. That is what all these companies are trying to do…they really should cease doing this or they will end up being sued one day in the future by their investors.
Besides, paying low wages for labor in antithetical to what these companies are supposed to stand for.
I agree with your financial analysis, there is no way they will make money just by hauling cargo.
But i disagree with your comments about their motivation. These folks are true believers !
They WANT this to work, and believe that “where there is a will, there is a way”.
I think they can make it (barely) work with paying trainees.
They have space for 12 (paying ??) Guests + 12 Pax
PS> If all were classed as “Pax” the vessel would need to have a Pax Certificate.
thank you…I am glad you see this as well
sure there is a way provided they never give any return on investment
I have read their business plan and it appears in the annual expenses portion of it, they miss one key expense…
A PAID PROFESSIONAL CREW! (although they do budget for crew attire and one gala crew dinner per month!)
bloody amateurs
There is a lot to be said for sailing vessels as training ships with pay-to-be-trained, unpaid, and/or lowly paid crew. I’ve sailed with several good commercial mariners that started out in the “amateur” fleet of sailing vessels. Those vessels produce a lot of talent.
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all fine but you can’t operate any vessel with just trainees…you need some professionals with experience and certification but I suspect they are believing they will get this core crew to work for shares or their rice and beans and fish or for all the good they are doing for the planet or something…BUT THIS IS NOT A CHARITABLE OPERATION! They NEED to have a FULLY PAID CREW…PERIOD!
Now these people are beginning to piss the FUCK out of me!