In June we posted about ships using SkySails to reduce fuel costs by an estimated 10 to 35%.   (See  Go Fly a Kite? A Look at SkySails)  One possibly unforeseen hazard of the SkySails became clear last week when an aircraft and a Skysail deployed from a ship had a close encounter.

Eurocontrol posts skysail warning

Eurocontrol is alerting aviation authorities worldwide of potential new collision threats due to ships that have begun experimenting with large high-flying kites or sails for auxiliary propulsion.

The action comes after a 15 September incident in which an aircraft descending over the southern North Sea reported seeing a kite or sail flying at approximately 305m (1,000ft) height “just below the clouds” ahead of a ship as it headed into port.