Wind speeds in northern European waters arevery high on average. This chart shows 10 years of historical wind data taken from a weather station near the Shetland Islands and plotted in such a way that each square represents the average wind speed during a 1 month period.

The blue patches in the summer months show the periods when there is generally too little wind to operate on wind alone so that it will be necessary to motor and/or motor-sail. The yellow patches in the winter months, in contrast, show the periods when the wind is generally too strong for full sail to be deployed and this is also when the vessel would be likely to shelter from storms and gales in the same way as conventional coasters. The burgundy coloured areas show the times of ideal sailing breezes although wind direction will have an influence on actual journey times and biogas consumption.

The Met Office will provide live, ongoing updated information once b9 Ships are operational allowing us to optimise efficiency of use of wind by predicting wind speeds and allowing calculations to enable B9 Ships maximise wind use whilst maintaining schedules.
 

Wind speeds in northern European waters arevery high on average. This chart shows 10 years of historical wind data taken from a weather station near the Shetland Islands and plotted in such a way that each square represents the average wind speed during a 1 month period.

The blue patches in the summer months show the periods when there is generally too little wind to operate on wind alone so that it will be necessary to motor and/or motor-sail. The yellow patches in the winter months, in contrast, show the periods when the wind is generally too strong for full sail to be deployed and this is also when the vessel would be likely to shelter from storms and gales in the same way as conventional coasters. The burgundy coloured areas show the times of ideal sailing breezes although wind direction will have an influence on actual journey times and biogas consumption.

The Met Office will provide live, ongoing updated information once b9 Ships are operational allowing us to optimise efficiency of use of wind by predicting wind speeds and allowing calculations to enable B9 Ships maximise wind use whilst maintaining schedules.