Parametric roll resonance monitoring using signal-based detection

Abstract

Extreme roll motion of ships can be caused by several phenomena, one of which is parametric roll resonance. Several incidents occurred unexpectedly around the millennium and caused vast fiscal losses on large container vessels. The phenomenon is now well understood and some consider parametric roll a curiosity, others have concerns. This study employs novel signal-based detection algorithms to analyse logged motion data from a container vessel (2800 TEU) and a large car and truck carrier during one year at sea. The scope of the study is to assess the performance and robustness of the detection algorithms in real conditions, and to evaluate the frequency of parametric roll events on the selected vessels. Detection performance is scrutinized through the validation of the detected events using owners’ standard methods, and supported by available wave radar data. Further, a bivariate statistical analysis of the outcome of the signal-based detectors is performed to assess the real life false alarm probability. It is shown that detection robustness and very low false warning rates are obtained. The study concludes that small parametric roll events are occurring, and that the proposed signal-based monitoring system is a simple and effective mean to provide timely warning of resonance conditions.