CC
COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
IN CONFIDENCE
C.
Hovercraft/Hydrofoil Options. Although the Study concluded
that both these types of craft had some attractions
the former
is comparatively inexpensive at £3M and the latter displays an
'advanced technology' image - both had significant disadvantages
within the concept of the Hong Kong role. The Study highlighted the
poor seakeeping qualities of the hovercraft and the high cost of
the hydrofoil (£6/7M) as the more major disadvantages.
NOTE: At a subsequent meeting with CAPIC Hong Kong two further
disadvantages were raised:
1.
The relatively small complements of these types
of craft might upset the present balance between UK
and LEP numbers in the Hong Kong unit.
2.
New support arrangements would be required to
maintain these craft.
d. Cost of Speed and Seakeeping. The Study concluded that, for
isplacement craft, a length of not less than 42 metres would be
necessary to meet the seakeeping requirements. If significantly
higher operating speeds than those of the TONS were required, this
length would need to be increased. The Craft Study included the
following graph to indicate the relationship between speed, cost and
size for conventional Patrol Craft.
C-3
COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
COMME LAL IN CONFIDENCE