Development of a New Generation of High-Speed Marine Vessels (HSMV) for Passenger Traffic in Norwegian Coastal Waters

High Speed Marine Vessels (HSMV) have been used for passenger services in Norwegian coastal waters since the early 1960-ties (hydrofoil vessels Sleipner, Vingtor and Teisten). The need for fast transfer of passengers along the sparsely populated Norwegian coast made the Norwegian ship designers and smaller shipyards eager to design and build smaller HSMV, both for commercial and governmental (navy) customers. The joint governmental and industry funded High Speed Craft program (1994 – 1997) played an important part in the growth of the Norwegian HSMV industry. In 1999 a serious accident happened with one of the HSMV operating the Stavanger – Bergen route (grounding on a reef when the vessel was at full speed), causing the death of 16 people. The accident had a major impact on the HSMV development and utilization. In addition to passenger vessels, the industry has developed fast patrol boats, ambulance and Search and Rescue vessels. Some operability aspects and challenges for the existing fleet of HSMV will be presented.