Been down to the waterways museum today for a spot of lunch with the wife , and whilst browsing there i came across this .
Now i have done a google search and found this , which is a biger design but based on the same thing
http://www.marinetalk.com/articles-marine-companies/art/New-Split-Ship-Design-10549T.htmlQuote from the literature,
split ship - inovation at its best
powered by twin pump-jet units to give maximum manoeuvrability, split ships two half barges, which operate indipendently on the waterways, have been designed to give maximum displacement with minimum wash generation.
For sea going operation the two barges are linked on the centerline in a ten minute process which uses hydraulic clamps to lock the barges together.
Once at sea, split ship has been given a sea-kindly,easy driven hull form for reliable operation and fast transit times .
daz