“To reach any coast by sea in remote areas, without external support or infrastructure”

In 2004, the tsunami in Southeast Asia has revealed the logistical problems of non-governmental organizations. Volunteers are becoming more affluent as well as donations. However, several billion dollars NGOs still dormant investment fund, await to be distributed. The agencies are struggling with transportation problems, materials management and pure logistics.

 Regarding transportation, NGOs tend to use aircrafts and trucks. Although fast, they require roads and airports in good conditions. In poor countries, conflict areas or disasters, these infrastructures are often damaged or non-existent, which creates a real problem for aid delivery.

A global analysis conducted by the World Health Organisation, regarding the medical needs, shows that the most demanding countries do have access to the shore. It is therefore obvious to reach them by sea. Carrying equipments by air is on average 80 times more expensive than by shipping, the choice of ships to deliver aid seems obviously the most suitable. The problem of slow ship speed is nowadays overcomed by slender multi-hull design which, with a lower power, can move quickly to disaster areas.

An analysis of existing hospital ships has shown that these facilities are often inadequate to the needs of populations. Old freighters or supertanker converted into hospital ships, their large sizes up to 300 meters and excessive draft of minimum 8 meters will only allow them to birth in major hub ports. The poorest countries anyway do not have such facilities, and whenever existing, they are located in large cities with all necessary hospital infrastructure.

The Tridock Hospital Ship (THS) is capable of reaching remote places in rough seas on long distances, and land directly onto the beach without any external support or infrastructure! The innovative concept proposed to achieve these outstanding performances is a catamaran with a multi-configuration setting. Through a combination ballast transfers, it changes simultaneously to:

1.A fast catamaran able to transit on long distances

2.A barge with shallow draft to access devastated coastline (landing craft)

From the simplicity of its concept based on fundamental principles and use of proven and conventional technologies, this innovative vessel presents numerous advantages.

The Tridock Hospital Ship can carry many containers which can be arranged in specialized treatment rooms. They may also serve as storage for hospital equipment and humanitary first aid supply. It hereby reduces planning & logistic costs when compared to conventional solutions currently available.