"Whale tails" could use waves to make ships more efficient

<!DOCTYPE html> <html data-environment="production"> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/","20150629121154","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1435579914"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>"Whale tails" could use waves to make ships more efficient</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="robots" content="index, follow"> <meta name="description" content="Ordinarily, when a ship is heading into waves, those waves cause it to work harder. An experimental new setup known as a "whale tail," however, utilizes wave action to actually help ships move forward, allowing them to use less fuel when tackling rough seas. "> <meta name="keywords" content="SINTEF, Wave Power, Ships, Fuel efficiency, Norwegian University of Science and Technology"> <meta name="news_keywords" content="SINTEF, Wave Power, Ships, Fuel efficiency, Norwegian University of Science and Technology"> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@gizmag"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content=""Whale tails" could use waves to make ships more efficient"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Ordinarily, when a ship is heading into waves, those waves cause it to work harder. An experimental new setup known as a "whale tail," however, utilizes wave action to actually help ships move forward, allowing them to use less fuel when tackling rough seas. "/> <meta name="twitter:image:src" content="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/whale-tail.jpg"/> <meta name="twitter:domain" content="gizmag.com"/> <meta property="og:type" content="website"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero/whale-tail.jpg"/> <meta property="og:title" content=""Whale tails" could use waves to make ships more efficient"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Ordinarily, when a ship is heading into waves, those waves cause it to work harder. An experimental new setup known as a "whale tail," however, utilizes wave action to actually help ships move forward, allowing them to use less fuel when tackling rough seas. "/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/"/> <link rel="canonical" content="http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/"> <link rel="image_src" content="http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/whale-tail.jpg"> <link rel="alternate" media="handheld" content=""> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="//web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://production-assetsbucket-wvksza8x3q2f.s3.amazonaws.com/ico/favicon.feae52afa635.ico"/> <link href="//web.archive.org/web/20150629121154cs_/http://production-assetsbucket-wvksza8x3q2f.s3.amazonaws.com/COMPILED/public.731a7b908a80.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/> <script type="application/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150629121154js_/http://production-assetsbucket-wvksza8x3q2f.s3.amazonaws.com/COMPILED/public.e59df7bcf015.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; (function() { var gads = document.createElement("script"); gads.async = true; gads.type = "text/javascript"; var useSSL = "https:" == document.location.protocol; gads.src = (useSSL ? "https:" : "http:") + "//web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js"; var node = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; node.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node); })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> googletag.cmd.push(function() { gpt_pushdown = googletag.defineSlot('/1007667/pushdown', [[728,90], [970,90], [970,250]], 'pushdown') .addService(googletag.pubads()); gpt_skyscraper = googletag.defineSlot('/1007667/Marine_Skyscraper_Right_160x600', [160,600], 'skyscraper_right') .addService(googletag.pubads()); gpt_bottom_inc = googletag.defineSlot('/1007667/bottom_include', [1,1], 'bottom_include') .addService(googletag.pubads()); gpt_islandtr = googletag.defineSlot('/1007667/Marine_IslandTop_Right_300x250', [[300,250], [336,280], [300,600], [300,1050]], 'island_top_right') .addService(googletag.pubads()); gpt_islandbr = googletag.defineSlot('/1007667/Marine_IslandBottom_Right_300x250', [[300,250], [336,280], [300,600]], 'island_bottom_right') .addService(googletag.pubads()); gpt_hmpg_fllwr = googletag.defineSlot('/1007667/Article_300x600_Follower', [[300,250], [300,600]], 'article_follower') .addService(googletag.pubads()); stacksocial = googletag.defineSlot('/7346874/GZM-300x250', [300,250], 'stacksocial') .addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().setTargeting('pt', 'a'); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.pubads().set('page_url','https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/'); googletag.enableServices(); }); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150629121154js_/http://a.postrelease.com/serve/load.js?async=true"></script> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=10"/><script type="text/javascript">window.NREUM||(NREUM={}),__nr_require=function(e,n,t){function r(t){if(!n[t]){var o=n[t]={exports:{}};e[t][0].call(o.exports,function(n){var o=e[t][1][n];return r(o?o:n)},o,o.exports)}return n[t].exports}if("function"==typeof __nr_require)return __nr_require;for(var o=0;o<t.length;o++)r(t[o]);return r}({QJf3ax:[function(e,n){function t(e){function n(n,t,a){e&&e(n,t,a),a||(a={});for(var u=c(n),f=u.length,s=i(a,o,r),p=0;f>p;p++)u[p].apply(s,t);return s}function a(e,n){f[e]=c(e).concat(n)}function c(e){return f[e]||[]}function u(){return t(n)}var f={};return{on:a,emit:n,create:u,listeners:c,_events:f}}function r(){return{}}var o="nr@context",i=e("gos");n.exports=t()},{gos:"7eSDFh"}],ee:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("QJf3ax")},{}],3:[function(e,n){function t(e){return function(){r(e,[(new Date).getTime()].concat(i(arguments)))}}var r=e("handle"),o=e(1),i=e(2);"undefined"==typeof window.newrelic&&(newrelic=window.NREUM);var a=["setPageViewName","addPageAction","setCustomAttribute","finished","addToTrace","inlineHit","noticeError"];o(a,function(e,n){window.NREUM[n]=t("api-"+n)}),n.exports=window.NREUM},{1:12,2:13,handle:"D5DuLP"}],"7eSDFh":[function(e,n){function t(e,n,t){if(r.call(e,n))return e[n];var o=t();if(Object.defineProperty&&Object.keys)try{return Object.defineProperty(e,n,{value:o,writable:!0,enumerable:!1}),o}catch(i){}return e[n]=o,o}var r=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty;n.exports=t},{}],gos:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("7eSDFh")},{}],handle:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("D5DuLP")},{}],D5DuLP:[function(e,n){function t(e,n,t){return r.listeners(e).length?r.emit(e,n,t):(o[e]||(o[e]=[]),void o[e].push(n))}var r=e("ee").create(),o={};n.exports=t,t.ee=r,r.q=o},{ee:"QJf3ax"}],id:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("XL7HBI")},{}],XL7HBI:[function(e,n){function t(e){var n=typeof e;return!e||"object"!==n&&"function"!==n?-1:e===window?0:i(e,o,function(){return r++})}var r=1,o="nr@id",i=e("gos");n.exports=t},{gos:"7eSDFh"}],G9z0Bl:[function(e,n){function t(){var e=d.info=NREUM.info,n=f.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];if(e&&e.licenseKey&&e.applicationID&&n){c(p,function(n,t){n in e||(e[n]=t)});var t="https"===s.split(":")[0]||e.sslForHttp;d.proto=t?"https://":"http://",a("mark",["onload",i()]);var r=f.createElement("script");r.src=d.proto+e.agent,n.parentNode.insertBefore(r,n)}}function r(){"complete"===f.readyState&&o()}function o(){a("mark",["domContent",i()])}function i(){return(new Date).getTime()}var a=e("handle"),c=e(1),u=(e(2),window),f=u.document,s=(""+location).split("?")[0],p={beacon:"bam.nr-data.net",errorBeacon:"bam.nr-data.net",agent:"js-agent.newrelic.com/nr-632.min.js"},d=n.exports={offset:i(),origin:s,features:{}};f.addEventListener?(f.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",o,!1),u.addEventListener("load",t,!1)):(f.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",r),u.attachEvent("onload",t)),a("mark",["firstbyte",i()])},{1:12,2:3,handle:"D5DuLP"}],loader:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("G9z0Bl")},{}],12:[function(e,n){function t(e,n){var t=[],o="",i=0;for(o in e)r.call(e,o)&&(t[i]=n(o,e[o]),i+=1);return t}var r=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty;n.exports=t},{}],13:[function(e,n){function t(e,n,t){n||(n=0),"undefined"==typeof t&&(t=e?e.length:0);for(var r=-1,o=t-n||0,i=Array(0>o?0:o);++r<o;)i[r]=e[n+r];return i}n.exports=t},{}]},{},["G9z0Bl"]);</script><script type="text/javascript">window.NREUM||(NREUM={});NREUM.info={"beacon":"bam.nr-data.net","queueTime":1,"licenseKey":"2798a8ea7c","agent":"js-agent.newrelic.com/nr-632.min.js","transactionName":"Y1BUNxcHV0IEUENYXVoacBYLBU1YCl0YXEdYQV8WFwoDXBBfQ1hEXVBB","applicationID":"12753935","errorBeacon":"bam.nr-data.net","applicationTime":55}</script> </head> <body>  <script type="text/javascript"> var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-2235360-4']); _gaq.push(['_setCustomVar', 1, 'Section', 'Marine', 3 ]); _gaq.push(['_setCustomVar', 2, 'Writer', 'Ben Coxworth', 3 ]); _gaq.push(['_setCustomVar', 3, 'View', 'Article', 3 ]); _gaq.push(['_setCustomVar', 5, 'ArticleID', '38087', 3 ]); _gaq.push(['_setCustomVar', 4, 'PPV_test3', '1', 3 ]); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageLoadTime']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://' : 'http://') + 'stats.g.doubleclick.net/dc.js'; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(ga); })(); </script> <div id="fb-root"></div> <script> (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3&appId=38456013908"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); </script> <script>!function(d,s,id) { var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https'; if(!d.getElementById(id)) { js=d.createElement(s); js.id=id; js.async=true; js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js'; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs); } }(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script> <div class="ad ad-block"> <div class="ad-label">Advertisement</div> <div class="ad-inner" id="pushdown"> <script type="text/javascript"> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("pushdown"); }); </script> </div> </div> <div class="ad-skin"> <div class="container header-container"> <a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/" class="logo"></a>  <form action="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/search/" class="header-search"> <input type="hidden" name="cx" value="partner-pub-1607124478120364:cf1bgg5f284"/> <input type="hidden" name="cof" value="FORID:11"/> <input type="hidden" name="ie" value="ISO-8859-1"/> <input type="text" name="q" class="input-inline header-search-input"/> <button name="sa">Search</button> </form> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154js_/http://www.google.com/cse/brand?form=cse-search-box-top&lang=en"></script> </div>  <div class="top-stories-container container"> <ul class="top-stories sprite"> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/marlon-brando-harley-auction-256000/38205/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/marlon-brando-harley-davidson-electra-glide.jpg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/marlon-brando-harley-auction-256000/38205/">Marlon Brando's Harley sells for $256,000</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/3d-shapes-graphene-uiuc/38164/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/3d-graphene.jpg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/3d-shapes-graphene-uiuc/38164/">Graphene takes on a new dimension</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/skyworks-eedu-drone-kit/38206/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/skyworks-eedu-drone-kit.jpeg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/skyworks-eedu-drone-kit/38206/">Eedu may be the drone kit for the rest of us</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/toyota-sienna-tacoma-mashup-ultimate-utility-vehicle/38184/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/toyota-ultimate-utility-vehicle.jpg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/toyota-sienna-tacoma-mashup-ultimate-utility-vehicle/38184/">Toyota mashes Sienna minivan and Tacoma pickup into Ultimate Utility Vehicle </a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/windows-10-surface-pro-3-review/38189/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/windows-10-surface-pro-3-review.jpg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/windows-10-surface-pro-3-review/38189/">Windows 10 on the Surface Pro 3: Now the 2-in-1 makes perfect sense</a> </div> </li> </ul> <a class="more-top-stories" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/top-stories/">more top stories »</a> </div> <div class="container"> <div id="content" class="narrow_content"> <div class="article-top" data-article="38087"> <a class="label" href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/marine/"> — Marine </a> <h1>"Whale tails" could use waves to make ships more efficient</h1> <div class="clearfix"> <span class="pull-left"> By <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/author/ben-coxworth/" rel="author">Ben Coxworth</a> - June 18, 2015 </span> <a class="picture-count" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/pictures"> 1 Picture </a> </div> </div> <div class="inline-item"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/pictures"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero/whale-tail.jpg" data-at2x="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://images.gizmag.com/hero/whale-tail@2x.jpg" alt="The whale tail-equipped model, being tank-tested in Norway" class="hero-img"/> </a> <div class="caption caption--hero"> <p> The whale tail-equipped model, being tank-tested in Norway (Credit: Marintek/SINTEF) </p> </div> </div> <div class="article-body"> <p>Ordinarily, when a ship is heading into waves, those waves cause it to work harder. An experimental new setup known as a "whale tail," however, utilizes wave action to actually help ships move forward, allowing them to use less fuel when tackling rough seas.</p> <p>The whale tail is being developed by a team from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), working in partnership with Rolls-Royce and British companies Seaspeed and MOST. Led by NTNU postdoctoral fellow Eirik Bøckmann, the researchers have been testing a miniature version of the system on a model ship which is towed through a 200-m (656-ft) wave tank at the Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute.</p> <p>Although it's called a whale tail, the system actually looks more like a set of hydrofoil-like fins, and it's located at the <em>front</em> of the ship below the waterline.</p> <p>As the main body of the ship is moved up and down by wave action, the two foils move with it. Due their unique shape, however, they generate lift that helps push the vessel through the water – just as a set of flukes do for a whale.</p> <p>Scaling up from the model, it has been calculated the foils would reduce wave resistance by 9 to 17 percent if used on a full-sized vessel at wave heights of under three meters (9.8 ft). They should likewise help cut down on heaving and pitching by about the same amount – the figures would likely be higher if the hull shape were optimized for use with the whale tail.</p> <p>While the technology is mainly intended to make ships more fuel-efficient (for now, at least), the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/liquid-robotics-wave-glider-sv3-aquatic-robot/26977/" target="_blank">Wave Glider</a> aquatic robot already relies entirely on a wave-powered propulsion system.</p> <p>Sources: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://gemini.no/en/2015/06/whale-tails-can-make-for-efficient-seafaring/" target="_blank">Gemini</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.seaspeed.co.uk/news/wave-foil-developments" target="_blank">Seaspeed</a></p> </div>  <div class="page-section"> <ul class="list-ui list-ui--horizontal share-bar"> <li> <div class="fb-like" data-href="http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/" data-send="false" data-layout="box_count" data-show-faces="false" data-share="true"></div> <script type="text/javascript"> _ga.trackFacebook(); </script> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-via="gizmag" data-url="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/">Tweet</a> </li> <li> <div class="g-plusone" data-size="tall" data-href="http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/"></div> </li> <li> <iframe style="overflow: hidden; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154if_/http://badge.stumbleupon.com/badge/embed/5/?url=http%3A//www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/" width="50" height="60" id="iframe-stmblpn-widget-1" name="iframe-stmblpn-widget-1"></iframe> </li> <li> <div class="pin-it-button" data-url="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154oe_/http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/" data-image="http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/whale-tail.jpg" data-description="Ordinarily, when a ship is heading into waves, those waves cause it to work harder. An experimental new setup known as a "whale tail," however, utilizes wave action to actually help ships move forward, allowing them to use less fuel when tackling rough seas. "></div> </li> <li> <script type="IN/Share" data-counter="top"></script> </li> <li class="js-share-reddit"> <script type="text/javascript"> reddit_newwindow='1' </script> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="ad "> <div class="ad-label">Advertisement</div> <script async src="//web.archive.org/web/20150629121154js_/http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <ins class="adsbygoogle ad-article-bottom" style="" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1607124478120364" data-ad-slot="6055296962"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div>  <div class="page-section"> <div class="OUTBRAIN" data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154oe_/http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/" data-widget-id="AR_1" data-ob-template="Gizmag"></div> <script type="text/javascript" async="async" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154js_/http://widgets.outbrain.com/outbrain.js"></script> </div>  <div class="page-section media"> <p class="h2 title-standout">About the Author</p> <a class="media__right" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/author/ben-coxworth/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/CACHE/images/avatars/127.3447568347cb.jpg" alt="Ben Coxworth"/> </a> <p>An experienced freelance writer, videographer and television producer, Ben's interest in all forms of innovation is particularly fanatical when it comes to human-powered transportation, film-making gear, environmentally-friendly technologies and anything that's designed to go underwater. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, where he spends a lot of time going over the handlebars of his mountain bike, hanging out in off-leash parks, and wishing the Pacific Ocean wasn't so far away.</p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/author/ben-coxworth/"> All articles by Ben Coxworth </a> </div>  <div class="page-section"> <p class="h2 title-standout">Tags</span> <ul class="list-ui list-ui--horizontal article-tags"> <li>» <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/sintef/" rel="tag">SINTEF</a></li> <li>» <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/wave%2Bpower/" rel="tag">Wave Power</a></li> <li>» <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/ship/" rel="tag">Ships</a></li> <li>» <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/fuel%2Befficiency/" rel="tag">Fuel efficiency</a></li> <li>» <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/norwegian-university-of-science-and-technology/" rel="tag">Norwegian University of Science and Technology</a></li> </ul> </div>  <div class="page-section"> <p class="h2 title-standout">3 Comments</p> <ul class="list-ui list-ui--vertical word-wrap"> <li> <p>There have been many boats built with foils or wings hinges so that as waves push the hull up and down, the foils automatically angle so they push the boat forward.</p> <p>No power required, just that the pivot and stops are set properly. If equipped with foils that can be rotated 180 degrees to shift the pivot point, the same system could push the boat in reverse. That might be something to have a look at for large ships coming into harbor or bay when the water is rough, or if there's an engine failure. Flip to reverse and if there's any wave action going it will at least slow the ship some.</p> <span class="strong">Galane</span> </li> <li> <p>More Whale Tails: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.charlesbombardier.com/2014/12/marlin/#sthash.YlPUsGLc.dpbs" rel="nofollow">http://www.charlesbombardier.com/2014/12/marlin/#sthash.YlPUsGLc.dpbs</a></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.charlesbombardier.com/2015/04/iruka/#sthash.OyiGc8zO.dpbs" rel="nofollow">http://www.charlesbombardier.com/2015/04/iruka/#sthash.OyiGc8zO.dpbs</a></p> <span class="strong">Niklas Wejedal</span> </li> <li> <p>shouldn't it be called the whale fluke?</p> <span class="strong">Paul Anthony</span> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="page-section"> <a name="comment-form"></a> <p class="h2 title-standout">Post a Comment</p> <div data-article="38087"> <form class="login-form js-login-form" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/login/" method="post"> <p class="strong">Login with your Gizmag account:</p> <p class="js-login-error"></p> <input type="hidden" name="csrfmiddlewaretoken" value="mey60XTVTtZhEbQRFuuk03cN7Be0aaHe"/> <input type="hidden" name="next" value="/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/"> <tr><th><label for="id_email">Email:</label></th><td><input id="id_email" maxlength="254" name="email" type="email"/></td></tr> <tr><th><label for="id_password">Password:</label></th><td><input id="id_password" name="password" type="password"/></td></tr> <button class="btn-lg btn-lg pull-right">Log In</button> <div class="pull-left"> <a class="small" href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/register/">Register here</a><br/> <a class="small" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/password-reset/recover/">Forgotten your password?</a> </div> </form> <p class="strong">Login with Facebook:</p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/login/facebook?next=/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/" class="facebook-login-button" rel="nofollow"></a> </div> </div> <div class="page-section"> <p class="h2 title-standout">Related Articles</p> <ul class="list-ui list-ui--vertical related-articles"> <li class="media"> <a class="media__left" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/wi-fi-firefighter-message-jacket/31748/" title="Emergency crews could start getting messages from their jackets"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-related/wi-fijacket.jpg" alt="Emergency crews could start getting messages from their jackets"/> </a> <a class="h3 title-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/wi-fi-firefighter-message-jacket/31748/"> Emergency crews could start getting messages from their jackets </a> <p class="related-article__date"> April 22, 2014 </p> </li> <li class="media"> <a class="media__left" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/kelp-seaweed-biofuel-heat/34313/" title="Turning up the heat to make kelp a viable source of biofuel"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-related/kelpbiofuel.jpg" alt="Turning up the heat to make kelp a viable source of biofuel"/> </a> <a class="h3 title-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/kelp-seaweed-biofuel-heat/34313/"> Turning up the heat to make kelp a viable source of biofuel </a> <p class="related-article__date"> October 17, 2014 </p> </li> <li class="media"> <a class="media__left" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/heroin-overdose-nasal-spray/34444/" title="Heroin overdoses may be better treated with a nasal spray"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-related/odspray.jpg" alt="Heroin overdoses may be better treated with a nasal spray"/> </a> <a class="h3 title-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/heroin-overdose-nasal-spray/34444/"> Heroin overdoses may be better treated with a nasal spray </a> <p class="related-article__date"> October 27, 2014 </p> </li> <li class="media"> <a class="media__left" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/clay-carbon-capture/36949/" title="Clay could be used for inexpensive carbon capture"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-related/clay-carbon-capture.jpg" alt="Clay could be used for inexpensive carbon capture"/> </a> <a class="h3 title-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/clay-carbon-capture/36949/"> Clay could be used for inexpensive carbon capture </a> <p class="related-article__date"> April 10, 2015 </p> </li> <li class="media"> <a class="media__left" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/magnetic-field-sensor-animal-ut/38069/" title="Sensor to detect Earth’s magnetic field discovered in an animal for very first time"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-related/worm-magnetosensor.jpg" alt="Sensor to detect Earth’s magnetic field discovered in an animal for very first time"/> </a> <a class="h3 title-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/magnetic-field-sensor-animal-ut/38069/"> Sensor to detect Earth’s magnetic field discovered in an animal for very first time </a> <p class="related-article__date"> June 17, 2015 </p> </li> <li class="media"> <a class="media__left" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/speech-recognition-ntnu/23870/" title="New approach promises more accurate speech recognition software"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-related/voice-recognition.jpg" alt="New approach promises more accurate speech recognition software"/> </a> <a class="h3 title-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/speech-recognition-ntnu/23870/"> New approach promises more accurate speech recognition software </a> <p class="related-article__date"> August 24, 2012 </p> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="page-section"> <form action="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/search/" name="cse-search-box-bottom"> <p class="h2 title-standout">Looking for something? Search our articles</p> <input type="hidden" name="cx" value="partner-pub-1607124478120364:bqw4wo-1udf"/> <input type="hidden" name="cof" value="FORID:11"/> <input type="hidden" name="ie" value="ISO-8859-1"/> <input type="text" name="q" size="10" class="content-search-input input-inline"/> <input type="submit" name="sa" value="Search"/> </form> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154js_/http://www.google.com/cse/brand?form=cse-search-box-bottom&lang=en"></script> </div> <div id="subscribe_modal_container" class="jqmWindow"> <div class="modal_close"> <a href="#" class="modal_close_button close_modal"> </a> </div> <div class="modal_inner"> <div id="modal_title"></div> <div class="modal_content"> <p class="title">Over 160,000 people receive our email newsletter</p> <p class="note_normal">See the stories that matter in your inbox every morning</p> <form id="subscribe_modal" name="subscribe_modal" action=""> <label>Your Email</label><br> <input name="email" type="text" id="modal_email" size="425"> <center id="modal_result"></center> <div class="modal_buttons"> <input class="big" type="submit" value="Subscribe"/> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="right_cols"> <div class="ad "> <div class="ad-label">Advertisement</div> <div class="ad-inner" id="island_top_right"> <script type="text/javascript"> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("island_top_right"); }); </script> </div> </div> <div id="right_col_a"> <div id="right_col_b"> <div class="ad "> <div class="ad-label">Advertisement</div> <div class="ad-inner" id="skyscraper_right"> <script type="text/javascript"> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("skyscraper_right"); }); </script> </div> </div> <div class="ad"> <span class="title">Sections</span> <ul class="dots" id="sections_list"> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/features/" class="features_reviews_list">Features</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/reviews/" class="features_reviews_list">Reviews</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/aircraft/">Aircraft</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/architecture/">Architecture</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/aroundthehome/">Around The Home</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/automotive/">Automotive</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/bicycles/">Bicycles</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/children/">Children</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/computers/">Computers</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/digital-cameras/">Digital Cameras</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/electronics/">Electronics</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/environment/">Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/games/">Games</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/goodthinking/">Good Thinking</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/health/">Health and Wellbeing</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/destinations/">Holiday Destinations</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/homeentertainment/">Home Entertainment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/remarkablepeople/">Inventors and Remarkable People</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/laptops/">Laptops</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/marine/">Marine</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/medical/">Medical</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/military/">Military</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/mobiletechnology/">Mobile Technology</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/motorcycles/">Motorcycles</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/music/">Music</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/outdoors/">Outdoors</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/pets/">Pets</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/robotics/">Robotics</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/science/">Science</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/space/">Space</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/sports/">Sports</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/telecommunications/">Telecommunications</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/urbantransport/">Urban Transport</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/wearableelectronics/">Wearable Electronics</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <span class="h3">Recently popular articles in Marine</span> <ul class="sprite vertical-sprite"> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/wartsila-31-worlds-most-efficient-4-stroke-diesel-engine/38120/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/wartsila-31-worlds-most-efficient-diesel-engine.jpg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/wartsila-31-worlds-most-efficient-4-stroke-diesel-engine/38120/">Wärtsilä's new 31 becomes the most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine in the world</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/jet-capsule-lazzarini-design/29713/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/jatcapsule.jpg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/jet-capsule-lazzarini-design/29713/">Italian design firm launches its first "mini yacht"</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/lockheed-martin-sea-slice-swathboat/35854/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/sea-slice.jpg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/lockheed-martin-sea-slice-swathboat/35854/">Lockheed Martin-designed experimental naval vessel up for sale</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/seadoo-sea-doo-spark-review/34832/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/sea-doo-spark-review.jpg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/seadoo-sea-doo-spark-review/34832/">Review: Sea-Doo Spark, the jet ski that might save the industry</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/ghost-super-cavitating-military-boat/21137/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/ghost.jpg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/ghost-super-cavitating-military-boat/21137/">Prototype GHOST military watercraft claims a world's first</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/whale-tail.jpg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/whale-tail-wave-foil/38087/">"Whale tails" could use waves to make ships more efficient</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/zapata-flyboard-jet-pack-watersport-boots/20772/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/zapata-flyboard-iron-man-jet-pack-watersport-boots.png"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/zapata-flyboard-jet-pack-watersport-boots/20772/">Zapata's outrageous, US$6,600 Flyboard - Aquaman meets Iron Man</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/surfango-jetbuster-jetrider-xl-power-kayak-air-suspension/17720/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/surfango-jetbuster-jetrider-xl-power-kayak-air-suspension.JPG"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/surfango-jetbuster-jetrider-xl-power-kayak-air-suspension/17720/">Riding the waves on a cushion of air: the 25mph Jetbuster Jetrider XL</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/hoverwing-home-made-flying-hovercraft/14371/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/hoverwing-hovercraft-1.png"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/hoverwing-home-made-flying-hovercraft/14371/">New Zealand's home-made 'hoverwing' flies 5 feet above water</a> </div> </li> <li> <a class="sprite__img" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/seawolf-gopro-submarine/38025/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero-popular/seawolf.jpg"> </a> <div class="sprite__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/seawolf-gopro-submarine/38025/">Seawolf sub takes your GoPro on an undersea voyage</a> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="clear_both"></div> <div class="ad "> <div class="ad-label">Advertisement</div> <div class="ad-inner" id="island_bottom_right"> <script type="text/javascript"> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("island_bottom_right"); }); </script> </div> </div> <div class="ad stacksocial"> <div class="ad-label">Advertisement</div> <div class="ad-inner" id="stacksocial"> <script type="text/javascript"> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("stacksocial"); }); </script> </div> </div> <div class="ad js-ad-follower"> <div class="ad-label">Advertisement</div> <div class="ad-inner" id="article_follower"> <script type="text/javascript"> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("article_follower"); }); </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clear_left"></div> </div> </div>  <div class="subscribe"> <div class="container"> <form class="js-subscribe-form"> <p class="h2">Subscribe to Gizmag's email newsletter</p> <input type="text" name="email" class="content-search-input input-inline" placeholder="Enter Your Email Address ..."/> <button>Subscribe</button> <p class="js-subscribe-error"></p> </form> </div> </div>  <div class="footer"> <div class="container"> <ul class="highlights highlights-horizontal"> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/wartsila-31-worlds-most-efficient-4-stroke-diesel-engine/38120/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero/wartsila-31-worlds-most-efficient-diesel-engine@2x.jpg"> </a> <div class="highlight__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/wartsila-31-worlds-most-efficient-4-stroke-diesel-engine/38120/">Wärtsilä's new 31 becomes the most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine in the world</a> </div> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/top-10-best-pavilions-expo-2015-milan/38092/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero/expotop10@2x.jpg"> </a> <div class="highlight__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/top-10-best-pavilions-expo-2015-milan/38092/">Gizmag's top 10 pavilions from EXPO 2015</a> </div> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/pictures-2015-paris-air-show/38085/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero/2015-paris-air-show-pictures@2x.JPG"> </a> <div class="highlight__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/pictures-2015-paris-air-show/38085/">In pictures: Paris Air Show 2015</a> </div> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/vw-unveils-new-california-camper-van/38080/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero/vw-california@2x.jpg"> </a> <div class="highlight__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/vw-unveils-new-california-camper-van/38080/">VW unveils new California camper van</a> </div> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/100-most-expensive-cars-of-all-time/32237/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero/100-most-expensive-cars-of-all-time@2x.jpg"> </a> <div class="highlight__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/100-most-expensive-cars-of-all-time/32237/">The top 100 most expensive cars of all time</a> </div> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/creative-ai-algorithmic-architecture-robot-craftsmen/36212/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero/creative-ai-architecture-robot-craftsmen@2x.jpg"> </a> <div class="highlight__title"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/creative-ai-algorithmic-architecture-robot-craftsmen/36212/">Creative AI: Algorithms and robot craftsmen open new possibilities in architecture</a> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="footer__copyright">All content copyright © Gizmag 2003 - 2015</div> </div> </div>  <div class="bottom-index"> <div class="container bottom-index__inner"> <ul> <li><a href="#top">Top</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/about/">About</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/contact/">Contact</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/privacy/">Privacy</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/termsofuse/">Terms & Conditions</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://www.gizmag.com/advertise/" class="brighter">Advertise</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="ad hide ad-bottom-include"> <div class="ad-label">Advertisement</div> <div class="ad-inner" id="bottom_include"> <script type="text/javascript"> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("bottom_include"); }); </script> </div> </div>  <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154js_/http://static.getclicky.com/js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript">clicky.init(110681);</script> <noscript><p><img alt="Clicky" width="1" height="1" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154im_/http://in.getclicky.com/110681ns.gif"/></p></noscript>  <script type="text/javascript"> (function() { var nstrack = document.createElement("script"), el_nstrack = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; nstrack.async = true; nstrack.src = "https://web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://track.netshelter.net/async/js/sites/gizmag.com-async.js"; el_nstrack.parentNode.insertBefore(nstrack, el_nstrack); })(); </script>  <script type="text/javascript"> var _sf_async_config={uid:4159,domain:"gizmag.com"}; _sf_async_config.authors = "Ben Coxworth"; _sf_async_config.sections = "Marine"; (function(){ function loadChartbeat() { window._sf_endpt=(new Date()).getTime(); var e = document.createElement('script'); e.setAttribute('language', 'javascript'); e.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); e.setAttribute('src', '//web.archive.org/web/20150629121154/http://static.chartbeat.com/js/chartbeat_pub.js'); document.body.appendChild(e); } var oldonload = window.onload; window.onload = (typeof window.onload != 'function') ? loadChartbeat : function() { oldonload(); loadChartbeat(); }; })(); </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

"Whale tails" could use waves to make ships more efficient