PASSENGER SHIP

Abstract: A passenger ship having asymmetrical superstructures (3) which define two distinct free spaces (8, 9) at the bulwarks, on the sides of the main deck. These spaces are mutually asymmetrical with respect to the diametrical plane (4) of symmetry of the hull (5); the space (8) proximate to the bow is protected on three sides, and the space (9) proximate to the stern is protected on at least two sides. This arrangement of the superstructure allows, even with a high percentage of external cabins, to achieve extensive open-air surfaces which can be dedicated to passenger recreational activities, and all this is provided on a low deck which as such is more easily accessible and comfortable and, despite being exposed to the weather, is in any case protected by the superstructures.

Description: The present invention relates to a passenger ship defined as such according to the convention known by the name SOLAS. Known passenger ships currently have a configuration in which the cabins are usually arranged both on deck and below deck. The external superstructures generally have a longitudinal extension which is symmetrical to the hull. The superstructure decks have an exposed area which is generally located amidship and aft. Due to their arrangement, said decks may furthermore be all windward or leeward, in the shade or in the sun, limiting their use for many kinds of recreational services. Finally, it should be noted that in the uppermost decks rolling may cause unpleasant conditions for the passengers, leading said decks to be scarcely visited and therefore scarcely usable as an area for particular recreational services. The aim of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known kinds of passenger ship by providing in turn a passenger ship which besides having a superstructure with weights balanced transversely to said ship, allows to provide large open-air surfaces which can be dedicated to recreational activities for the passengers. Within the scope of the above described aim, an important object is to provide a passenger ship in which said large surfaces allow recreational activities in conditions which maximally resemble the optimum ones. The above described aim and objects, as well as others which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a passenger ship characterized in that it comprises asymmetrical superstructures which defined on the sides of the deck, two distinct free spaces at the bulwarks which are mutually asymmetrical, the one proximate to the bow being protected on three sides the one proximate to the stern being protected on at least two sides. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated only by way of non limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a schematic partial side view of the ship while floating with a normal full load; figure 2 is a view, taken along a transverse plane, of the ship in a schematic form; figure 3 is a schematic view of the main deck or external continuous deck; figure 4 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of the arrangement of the two distinct free spaces which are asymmetrical with respect to the diametrical plane of symmetry of the hull. With reference to the above described figures, the passenger ship, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, comprises, at the deck 2, superstructures 3 which are asymmetrical and therefore have an offset configuration with respect to the diametrical plane of symmetry 4 of the hull 5. This arrangement of the superstructures 3, which have an essentially S- or Z- shaped plan with respect to the deck 2, defines, at the port and starboard bulwarks 6 and 7, two distinct free spaces, indicated by the reference numerals 8 and 9. Said free spaces are arranged offset with respect to the diametrical plane 4, and are furthermore protected by the superstructures 3 respectively on three sides and on at least two sides. Besides providing a considerable percentage of external cabins, this distribution of the superstructures 3 allows to provide extensive open-air surfaces which can be dedicated to the passenger's recreational activities on a lower deck which, as such, is more accessible and comfortable since rolling is perceived to a lesser extent. Said free spaces, despite being exposed to the weather, are protected by the superstructures on two or three sides, thus allowing to differentiate their use for example according to the direction from which the wind is blowing (leeward or windward exposed regions) or to the position of the sun (regions which are exposed but are in the shade or in the sun) or to the mooring at dock (regions toward the dock or toward the sea). The particular distribution of the superstructures 3 furthermore allows to minimize or even eliminate the effect of transverse weight imbalance which for different solutions might entail a particular re-distribution of the main internal weights as compensation with respect to the conventional arrangement in known ships. As regards the area delimiting said free spaces 8 and 9, some conditions which are deemed optimum, according to the particular configurations of the superstructures, are pointed out. The plane which is transverse to the hull 5 and passes through the axis of the rudder is indicated by P1; P2 indicates the plane which is transverse to the hull 5 and passes through the intersection between the load water line plane 10 and the stem. The letter L instead indicates the interspace between said two planes P1 and P2. The letter B instead indicates the beam of the ship. With reference to the main deck 2 or in any case to the horizontal plane of the outer continuous deck, the letter A indicates the theoretical total area which is projected on said plane and is obtained therefore by multiplying the beam B of the ship by the distance between the planes P1 and P2. Said area A is defined by the rectangle drawn in broken lines in figure 3. The areas related to the free spaces 8 and 9 and the dimensional relationships therebetween are now defined. A1 indicates the starboard lateral area of the free space 8 and A2 identifies the port lateral area of the free space 9. The starboard lateral area A1 is obtained by multiplying the useful mean length L1 of the space 8 by the mean useful width B1 thereof. It should be stressed that in calculating said area any regions which extend respectively ahead of the plane P2 or astern of the plane P1 must not be taken into account. The port side area, indicated by A2, is instead obtained by multiplying the mean useful length L2 of the port space 9 by the mean useful width B2 thereof. The indications provided for the preceding area also apply to the calculation of this area. In view of the previously given definitions, the dimensions of the areas A1 and A2 are deemed to respect the following conditions, in view of the particular configuration of the superstructures 3: 0,80·A2 ≦ A1 ≦ 1.25·A2 and that A1 + A2 ≧ 0.20 · A and that B2 ≧ O.3·B and B1 ≧ O.3.B. It has thus been observed that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, a passenger ship having been provided which by virtue of the particular distribution of its superstructures allows to provide a high percentage of external cabins arranged on deck together with large exposed surfaces which can be dedicated to passenger recreational activities; all this being provided on a low deck which, as such, is more accessible and comfortable (less roll) and despite being exposed to the weather is also protected by said superstructures on two or three sides. The distribution of the superstructures furthermore allows to use the public open-air spaces while cruising or while the ship is stationary in a differentiated manner according to the direction from which the wind blows or to the position of the sun or to the mooring at dock. The particular distribution of the superstructures furthermore allows to minimize or even eliminate the effect of transverse weight imbalance which in general, for other solutions, might entail a re-distribution of the main internal weights for compensation. The shape of the free spaces 8 and 9 may naturally be the most appropriate according to the specific requirements within the scope of the previously described limitations. The asymmetry of the superstructures with reference to their mean distribution with respect to the diametrical plane of symmetry of the hull can be achieved without regard for the geometrical shape which the body of said superstructures may assume in elevation and/or in plan, as well as for the shapes of possible bodies connecting for example the lateral superstructures or interpenetrating said superstructures or for completing the aft and bow regions. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: 1. Passenger ship characterized in that it comprises asymmetrical superstructures (3) which define two distinct free spaces (8, 9) at the bulwarks (6, 7) which are mutually asymmetrical on the sides of the deck (2), a first one (8) of said free spaces being proximate to the bow and protected on three sides, a second one (9) of said free spaces being adjacent to the stern and protected on at least two sides. 2. Passenger ship according to claim 1, characterized in that said asymmetrical superstructures have an offset configuration with respect to the diametrical plane (4) of symmetry of the hull (5) so as to define, on each side of said ship, said at least two distinct free spaces (8, 9). 3. Passenger ship according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said superstructures (3) have, with respect to said main deck, an essentially S- or Z-shaped plan configuration. 4. Passenger ship according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lateral area of the free space located on one side, which is obtained by multiplying the mean useful length and width of said space, is comprised between 0.80 and 1.25 of the value corresponding to the lateral area of the free space located on the other side, which is obtained by multiplying the mean useful length and width of said free space. 5. Passenger ship according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the sum of said lateral regions of said free spaces (8, 9) is greater or equal to one fifth of the value of the theoretical total area (A) projected on the horizontal external continuous deck plane, said area being defined by a rectangle which has a width equal to the ship's beam (B) and a length equal to the distance between the transverse planes which pass at the rudder axis and at the intersection between the stem and the full load water line. 6. Passenger ship according to claims 1, 4 and 5 characterized in that said mean useful widths (B1, B2) of said free spaces (8, 9) are greater than, or equal to, the value obtained by multiplying the ship's beam by a coefficient equal to 0.3.

Inventors: CERGOL, MAURIZIO
Applicants: FINCANTIERI CANTIERI NAVALI ITALIANI S.P.A.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B63B29
IPC codes: B63B29, B63B15, B63B35