BLUEMOMENT

I see from the mag that arrived today that a container ship crossing from Germany to Venezuela is saving 20% of fuel by flying a 1722sq ft kite-sail.

This is apparently computer controlled. This is probably just as well as even the Phillipino crew might think that somebody is kind of taking the pish, otherwise.

Sounds a bit small for a container ship. I wonder if it should be square metres? Perhaps they missed a nought off the end?

they provided the size as 160 Sq metres - I just thought most of the old blighters on here would understand old measurements better

Definitely missing a nought then.

Online conversion gives 1722.225 ft²

Gas meters, 'lectric meters, taxi meters....square feet makes sense to me

Thanks BigNick...

Ah - the penny drops. Perhaps if I'd seen the original article...?

Not at all ... Try googling "ms beluga" and the first 3 links are to the Daily Telegraph, BBC and Wikipedia. So whether you're a reactionary old fart, trendy pinko leftie or altogether 21st century person, you are catered for in that lot, are you not?

Derek

OK, so not an April fool (unless very elaborate indeed) but I still can't believe that 160 sq.m is enough to save 20% off the fuel bill of a 10,000 tonne ship unless they're flying it in the jet stream!