Snap-on rotating reduction fairing

A fairing system for the reduction of vortex-induced vibration and the minimization of drag about a substantially cylindrical element immersed in a fluid medium, the fairing system comprising:

• a plurality of cylindrical shells rotatably mounted about a cylindrical element immersed in a fluid medium, each shell having opposing edges defining a longitudinal gap configured to allow the shells to snap around the cylindrical element;
• and
• a fin positioned along each opposing edge of the longitudinal gap, each fin extending outwardly from each shell, the fins being positioned on each shell so as to reduce vortex-induced vibration and minimize drag on the cylindrical element.

A method for reducing vortex-induced vibration and minimizing drag about a substantially cylindrical element immersed in a fluid medium, comprising the step of:

• installing a rotatable fairing about a substantially cylindrical element, the fairing comprising a cylindrical shell having opposing edges defining a longitudinal gap configured to allow the shell to snap around the cylindrical element, the shell further including a fin positioned along each opposing edge of the longitudinal gap, each fin extending outwardly from the shell, the fins being positioned on the shell so as to reduce vortex-induced vibration and minimize drag on the cylindrical element.