High hopes: Navy airs fuel-saving idea

The navy is going back to basics in a bid to cut its soaring fuel bill — wind power.

Commodore Mark Mellett confirmed the navy was collaborating with the Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster, UCC, and CIT to develop “kite sails” which would be used to save fuel when a ship was carrying out surveillance.

The sails will have an added hi-tech edge which the service hopes to sell to other navies around the world.