Motor Sail Propulsion Project
Region: South Pacific
Country: Fiji
Date: 1984
Funded By: Asian Development Bank
MEP were retained as staff consultants to carry out the Fiji Sail Motor Propulsion Experimental Project. An MEP naval architect and economist studied Fiji Marine Department and commercial vessels, operating patterns and profitability. From this information a Marine Department vessel was selected as being most representative of Fijian and South Pacific vessels. An auxiliary sail rig was designed and put out to tender, the hardware was supplied from New Zealand and installed by the Marine Department Shipyard advised by the MEP sailing master. The sailing vessel was operated with extensive instrumentation to establish contribution of sail to propulsion and fuel savings effected. Master and crew of the vessel were instructed in navigation under sail and techniques of sail handling and maintenance.