The FTL Drive uses a dimensional transport effect. The ships instantaneously teleport from one point in space to another. On human ships, the FTL Drives are powered by refined tylium. When a ship jumps, it distorts the space around it and can damage other vessels that are too close. This can be seen in Someone to Watch Over Me when Boomer jumps away from the fleet just outside of Galactica's flight pod. The spacial disruption tears holes in the outer hull of the ship, causing major damage to the ship.