Proteus (WAM-V)

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The Proteus is an experimental watercraft testbed for the wave adaptive modular vessels technology developed by Ugo Conti's Marine Advanced Research and is the first of its class. Because of its use of four legs connecting the superstructure to the outriggers, the ship has earned the nickname of "The Spider Ship" or "Spider Boat".^[1] The unusual design attracted public attention during early trials, before it even had a registration number.^[2]

[edit] Construction

The Proteus is similar in design to a catamaran, in that it uses a twin hull design and no keel. Unlike most catamarans however, the superstructure is not rigidly attached to the hulls. The ship uses titanium shock absorbers to travel with the waves in the ocean, rather than through them. This method should theoretically allow the ship to move faster through the water while burning less fuel, however sea trials are yet to be completed. Hogging and sagging should also be reduced as well.

The Proteus is 100 feet long, while its beam is 50 feet allowing for relatively normal Initial stability coefficient of 2:1. Its draft fluctuates more than a traditional ship, but at half load it is 8 inches at the bow and 16 inches at the stern. Because of the ship's limited draft and inflatable hulls it is able to be beached without damage. The ship's bridge, cargo hold and berthing for four are located in the cabin that hangs down from the four legs. The cabin can be lowered into the water 20 feet below and can run under its own power. It has been designed this way to allow offshore anchoring of the seadrive section of the craft, while allowing the cabin to be moored in a marina.

The Proteus is constructed of titanium, aluminum and reinforced fabrics. The ship's displacement is 12 tons when carrying its maximum cargo of 2 tons. Its outriggers store the 2,000 gallons of fuel that power the two Cummins Marine Diesel Quantum Series QSB5.9 355 horsepower engines at their sterns.

On September 7, 2007, Daniel Basta, director of the National Marine Sanctuaries for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, stated that Proteus is a Wave Adaptive Modular Vessel (designed for military uses, biological studies, ocean exploration and sea rescue). It is a lightweight, low cost and modular craft, which can travel 5,000 miles on 2,000-gallons of diesel fuel. Proteus will be able to launch and recover automatic vehicles as well as engage in remote vehicle operations. Its first appearance in New York is the 4th leg of a tour that began in San Francisco in January and will end in Washington, D.C.. Ugo Conti (Italian engineer and oceanographer who designed Proteus) and his wife, Isabella Conti, are co-founders of Marine Advanced Research, Inc., a Silicon Valley-based firm that created the Proteus for $1.5 million. With maximum a speed of 30 knots (34.5 mph), the 100 foot long by 50 foot wide 4-legged superstructure is no luxury craft.^[3]