Rough Sea Transfer Ship

Heavy lift ships are used to transport large marine equipment such as oil platforms and naval vessels. The major limitation for current heavy lift ships in naval operation is that they can only offload cargo in calm sea conditions. For the United States Navy, a dedicated lift ship capable of operating in moderate seas is required. The Rough Seas Transfer Ship RSTS will carry four light density amphibious connectors such as the Landing Craft, Air Cushioned LCAC at a fleet speed of 20 knots. The RSTS will also conduct joint operations with Military Sealift Command ships and be capable of ballasting to unload its cargo up to sea state 5 and de-ballasting for transit. Currently there is no craft that can meet these stringent US Navy operational requirements. This innovation cell is proposing a trimaran heavy lift ship in order to utilize the seakeeping characteristics of the trimaran hull while providing the deck area of a traditional heavy lift ship. The ship will ballast down and trim to the stern to place the stern of the working deck under the water surface to allow loadingoff-loading of LCACs.