Development Of A Semi-Swath Craft For Malaysian Waters

Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) and Catamaran vessels are known to have more stable platform as compared to mono-hulls. A further advantage of SWATH as compared to Catamaran is its smaller waterplane area that provides better seakeeping qualities. However, the significant drawback of the SWATH vessel is when encountering head-sea at high forward speed. Due to its low stiffness, it has a tendency for large pitch motions. Consequently, this may lead to excessive trim or even deck wetness. This phenomenon will not only degrade the comfortability but also results in structural damage with greater safety risks. In this research a modified SWATH design is proposed. The proposed design concept represents a combination of Catamaran and SWATH vessel hull features that will lead to reduce in bow-diving but still maintains good seakeeping capabilities. This is then called the Semi- SWATH vessel. In addition, the full-design of this vessel has been equipped by fixed fore fins and controllable aft fins attached on each lower hull. In the development of controllable aft fins, the PID controller system was applied to obtain an optimal vessel’s ride performance at speeds of 15 (medium) and 20 (high) knots. In this research work, the seakeeping performance of Semi-SWATH vessel was evaluated using time-domain simulation approach. The effect of fin stabilizer on the bare hull performance is considered. The validity of numerical evaluation was then compared with model experiments carried out in the Towing Tank at Marine Technology Laboratory, UTM. It is shown that the Semi-SWATH vessel with controllable fin stabilizer can have significantly reduction by about 42.57% of heave motion and 48.80% of pitch motion

Kennisvraag H-AKV-139: Fully documented fisheries Initial Advice

This document outlines some initial thoughts on what would be involved in setting up a pilot study for the use of a fully documented fishery (FDF) to allow for a system of catch quota management (CQM) in the North Sea flatfish fishery. Regulatory requirements, practical considerations and some analyses to determine the likely participation within the Dutch beam trawl fleet are also presented

Data availibility for the fisheries impact assessment of the FIMPAS project

The project Fisheries Measures in Protected Areas (FIMPAS) aims to introduce fisheries measures in the marine Natura 2000 sites within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Dutch part of the North Sea by the end of 2011. The FIMPAS project covers three such areas, the Dogger Bank and the Cleaver Bank (both to be designated for protection under the Habitats Directive) and the Frisian Front (to be designated for protection under the Birds Directive). These sites are beyond the Dutch 12 nm zone and several EU Member States fish within these areas. Therefore fisheries measures must be implemented through the Common Fisheries Policy. These marine protected areas, as well as the potential fisheries measures, are a consequence of the implementation of the European Birds and Habitats Directives and will be proposed to the European Commission by the Dutch government. The Dutch Ministry for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), together with Dutch environmental NGOs and the Dutch fishing industry, are cooperating within the FIMPAS project to develop the necessary fisheries measures to achieve the conservation objectives for the Dutch Natura 2000 sites of the North Sea. LNV has asked the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to organize the necessary scientific processes and give advice on the desired fisheries measures involving the relevant stakeholders in this process

Modeling and Real-Time Scheduling of DC Platform Supply Vessel for Fuel Efficient Operation

DC marine architecture integrated with variable speed diesel generators (DGs) has garnered the attention of the researchers primarily because of its ability to deliver fuel efficient operation. This paper aims in modeling and to autonomously perform real-time load scheduling of dc platform supply vessel (PSV) with an objective to minimize specific fuel oil consumption (SFOC) for better fuel efficiency. Focus has been on the modeling of various components and control routines, which are envisaged to be an integral part of dc PSVs. Integration with photovoltaic-based energy storage system (ESS) has been considered as an option to cater for the short time load transients. In this context, this paper proposes a real-time transient simulation scheme, which comprises of optimized generation scheduling of generators and ESS using dc optimal power flow algorithm. This framework considers real dynamics of dc PSV during various marine operations with possible contingency scenarios, such as outage of generation systems, abrupt load changes, and unavailability of ESS. The proposed modeling and control routines with real-time transient simulation scheme have been validated utilizing the real-time marine simulation platform. The results indicate that the coordinated treatment of renewable based ESS with DGs operating with optimized speed yields better fuel savings. This has been observed in improved SFOC operating trajectory for critical marine missions. Furthermore, SFOC minimization at multiple suboptimal points with its treatment in the real-time marine system is also highlighted

Concept design of a fast sail assisted feeder container ship

A fast sail assisted feeder container ship concept has been developed for the 2020 container market in the South East Asian and Caribbean regions.The design presented has met the requirements of an initial economic study, with a cargo capacity of 1270 twenty-foot equivalent unit containers, meeting the predictions of container throughput derived from historical data. In determining suitable vessel dimensions, account has also been taken for port and berthing restrictions, and considering hydrodynamic performance. The vessel has been designed for a maximum speed of 25 knots, allowing it to meet the demand for trade whilst reducing the number of ships operating on the routes considered.The design development of the fast feeder concept has involved rigorous analyses in a number of areas to improve the robustness of the final design. Model testing has been key to the development of the concept, by increasing confidence in the final result. This is due to the fact that other analysis techniques are not always appropriate or accurate. Two hull forms have been developed to meet requirements whilst utilising different propulsor combinations. This has enabled evaluation of efficiency gains resulting from different hydrodynamic phenomena for each design. This includes an evaluation of the hydrodynamic performance when utilising the sail system. This has been done using a combination of model test results and data from regression analysis. The final propulsor chosen is a contra-rotating podded drive arrangement. Wind tunnel testing has been used to maximise the performance of a Multi-wing sail system by investigating the effects of wing spacing, stagger and sail-container interactions. This has led to an increase in lift coefficient of 32% from initial predictions. The savings in power requirement due to the sail system are lower than initially predicted. However, another benefit of their installation, motion damping, has been identified. Whilst this has not been fully investigated, additional fuel savings are possible as well as improved seakeeping performance.The design is shown to be environmentally sustainable when compared to existing vessels operating on the proposed routes. This is largely due to the use of low-carbon and zero-sulphur fuel (liquefied natural gas) and improvements in efficiency regarding operation. This especially relates to cargo handling and scheduling. Green house gas emissions have been predicted to fall by 42% and 40% in the two regions should the design be adopted. These savings are also due to the use of the Multi-wing sail system, which contributes to reductions in power requirement of up to 6% when the vessel operates at its lower speed of 15 knots. It is demonstrated that the fast feeder is also economically feasible, with predicted daily cost savings of 27% and 33% in the South East Asian and Caribbean regions respectively. Thus the fast feeder container ship concept is a viable solution for the future of container transhipment. <br/

Review of dynamic positioning control in maritime microgrid systems

For many offshore activities, including offshore oil and gas exploration and offshore wind farm construction, it is essential to keep the position and heading of the vessel stable. The dynamic positioning system is a progressive technology, which is extensively used in shipping and other maritime structures. To maintain the vessels or platforms from displacement, its thrusters are used automatically to control and stabilize the position and heading of vessels in sea state disturbances. The theory of dynamic positioning has been studied and developed in terms of control techniques to achieve greater accuracy and reduce ship movement caused by environmental disturbance for more than 30 years. This paper reviews the control strategies and architecture of the DPS in marine vessels. In addition, it suggests possible control principles and makes a comparison between the advantages and disadvantages of existing literature. Some details for future research on DP control challenges are discussed in this paper

Sustainable seabed mining: guidelines and a new concept for Atlantis II Deep

The feasibility of exploiting seabed resources is subject to the engineering solutions, and economic prospects. Due to rising metal prices, predicted mineral scarcities and unequal allocations of resources in the world, vast research programmes on the exploration and exploitation of seabed minerals are presented in 1970s. Very few studies have been published after the 1980s, when predictions were not fulfilled. The attention grew back in the last decade with marine mineral mining being in research and commercial focus again and the first seabed mining license for massive sulphides being granted in Papua New Guinea’s Exclusive Economic Zone.Research on seabed exploitation and seabed mining is a complex transdisciplinary field that demands for further attention and development. Since the field links engineering, economics, environmental, legal and supply chain research, it demands for research from a systems point of view. This implies the application of a holistic sustainability framework of to analyse the feasibility of engineering systems. The research at hand aims to close this gap by developing such a framework and providing a review of seabed resources. Based on this review it identifies a significant potential for massive sulphides in inactive hydrothermal vents and sediments to solve global resource scarcities. The research aims to provide background on seabed exploitation and to apply a holistic systems engineering approach to develop general guidelines for sustainable seabed mining of polymetallic sulphides and a new concept and solutions for the Atlantis II Deep deposit in the Red Sea.The research methodology will start with acquiring a broader academic and industrial view on sustainable seabed mining through an online survey and expert interviews on seabed mining. In addition, the Nautilus Minerals case is reviewed for lessons learned and identification of challenges. Thereafter, a new concept for Atlantis II Deep is developed that based on a site specific assessment.The research undertaken in this study provides a new perspective regarding sustainable seabed mining. The main contributions of this research are the development of extensive guidelines for key issues in sustainable seabed mining as well as a new concept for seabed mining involving engineering systems, environmental risk mitigation, economic feasibility, logistics and legal aspects

Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 355)

This bibliography lists 147 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information System during October, 1991. Subject coverage includes: aerospace medicine and psychology, life support systems and controlled environments, safety equipment, exobiology and extraterrestrial life, and flight crew behavior and performance