NRED contracted MEP to conduct a series of wind tunnel tests and analysis of the possible use of sail power for artisanal fishing vessel propulsion in developing countries. The results of initial research were encouraging and a further project to validate the theoretical performance predictions and test the acceptability of improved sail rigs in fishing communities was agreed. Field trials were attached to ongoing ODA projects to economise on logistic support and provide the possibility for later development work. MEP project officers worked with fishing communities to manufacture improved sail systems from locally available materials and to conduct practical sail performance trials to validate research data. The project has produced a hand book describing the use and benefits of sail in simple, non-technical language and extensive use of illustrations.
