In the Bay of Bermuda, Groupama Team France, the AC50 America's Cup Class AC50 is sailing at over 40 knots. Behind him a small fleet of motor boats continuously follows him. What are they doing in his wake? A trip to Bermuda allowed us to understand what the 3 boats that permanently follow him do.
A semi-rigid for the coach
The first, a NorthStar 850 powered by 3x300 hp Suzuki, is the boat of coach Bertrand Pacé. This one gives navigation instructions, wets buoys for training. On board, there is also a diver (former soldier) who must be able to intervene in an emergency in the event of an accident involving the catamaran (especially if it turns over). From this boat, the coach is in direct contact with the entire crew. He wears a microphone and an earpiece that all crew members can hear. Only the helmsman, Franck Cammas, and the mainsail trimmer can answer him (the others do not have a microphone, but just an earpiece).
A boat for data
The America's Cup Class is constantly monitored. On board 60 sensors send 1000 information per second in wifi to the following boat. The latter collects them as they are being navigated. This includes information on the strength and deformation of the platform, but also data on speed or wind or more specific data such as the heart rate of all sailors. On board, 5 cameras continuously record the navigation. All these images linked to the data will be used once at the port to analyze the navigation. The data boat is a Barracuda 9 Bénéteau with 2 x 200 hp Suzuki.
A boat for the equipment
The last boat is also a semi-rigid Suzuki motorized boat that transports responders for the first emergency repairs. In front of the console are three large boxes with spare equipment. A box for seamanship and rigging, a box for electronics and a box for hydraulics. Engineers are ready to intervene on the catamaran to repair in case of breakage. We were thus able to witness a change of wheel steering that had problems with the connection of the adjustment knobs. A few minutes later, the sailboat resumed its flight...
Two boats for visitors
The Team France base receives visitors: press, guests, partners, VIP... Two boats (a semi-rigid and a Barracuda 8) are at their disposal to take them on the water.
The importance of engines
Suzuki has a partnership with Team France. It provides the engines to motorize the following boats. The specifications required that the following vessels be able to reach 50 knots. It has been done. Work has also been done on the choice of propellers so that the boats can follow the catamaran's high accelerations. The reliability of the engines was also a factor in Suzuki's choice.
