Characteristic of hydrodynamic derivatives for a multi-hull navigation vessel in dynamic positioning mode

Abstract

The Quadmaran vessel is a maritime multi-hull vessel developed for water quality observation in aquaculture farms. The vessel’s dynamic positioning (DP) performance is essential for the accuracy of the collected data. The maneuvering characteristics in DP mode have been investigated in our previous research using a quasi-static motion prediction model based on static planar motion mechanism (PMM) tests. However, since the Quadmaran vessel has a unique hull arrangement, the motion characteristics need to be determined with greater accuracy. Therefore, in this study, the maneuvering equations are newly established with higher accuracy hydrodynamic derivatives determined through dynamic PMM tests. The higher order hydrodynamic derivatives are obtained from pure sway, pure yaw and pure yaw with a constant angle tests. Model scale experiments are conducted to establish an advanced mathematical model and compared with the quasi-static assumption results. The result shows significant improvements in the motion prediction under DP mode, and a more accurate motion prediction model is successfully established. This study is a new attempt to utilize the dynamic PMM tests method on a vessel with unique shape and motion characteristics. The advanced mathematical model deepens our understanding of the maneuverability of a multi-hull vessel in DP mode.