Ice-breaking Vessels Research Articles

Proximity analysis between icebreakers and narwals in Tasiujaq, Nunavut, Canada

AbstractIcebreaker vessels in the Canadian Arctic are used to monitor and maintain open shipping lanes during summer and fall. Icebreaker operating routes often overlap with important habitats of endemic Arctic marine mammals, leading to potential interactions and disturbance. In this study, we examined the frequency, proximity, and duration of encounter events between narwhals (Monodon monoceros) and icebreaker vessels in Tasiujaq (Eclipse Sound), Nunavut, an important summering area for this species. We combined tracking data from 25 narwhals equipped with satellite telemetry devices in Tasiujaq between 2016 and 2018 with automatic identification system (AIS) data for the same period from 7 icebreaker vessels. We defined an encounter event between a narwhal and an icebreaker as the total consecutive occurrences of an individual within 50 km of a vessel within 1 hour. For all years combined, 17 out of 25 narwhals had at least 1 encounter with an icebreaker and all 7 icebreakers were involved in at least 1 encounter. The closest distance (closest point of approach) recorded was <1 km and the longest cumulative duration of encounter events for 1 narwhal with 1 icebreaker was 121.6 hours (n = 27 encounter events over 17 days). Proximity and continuous exposure of narwhals to high levels of noise are a key concern when considering short‐ and long‐term effects on behavior and fitness of this species.

Ice-Breaking Tourism and Local Resilience Building

This study focuses on local ice-breaking tourism initiatives in Kemi (Finland), Mombetsu (Japan), and Abashiri (Japan). It adds to research on winter and cruise tourism and analyzes multiscalar challenges—ranging from the global warming and COVID-19 pandemic to dependency on local governmental support—threatening the future of tourism dependent on frozen maritime conditions and vulnerable to changing climate conditions. As the case study cities have invested significantly in tourism built around the uncontrollable natural phenomenon, changes in this industry can lead to substantial spillover effects in the surrounding communities. This qualitative comparative research is based on extensive fieldwork and utilizes the concept of resilience to discuss the means of responding to existing and predicted disturbances. The results of this study show that the recent adaptation and resiliency-building strategies have focused on searching for alternative use of old, new, and renovated ice-breaking vessels, attraction of new types of (often domestic) visitors, and development of activities and facilities that are less sensitive to seasonal variation and climate change. While introducing new local ideas concerning ecological and educational tourism, e-tourism, and community-oriented tourism, this article contributes to the understanding of resilience-building processes in tourism.

A first glimpse of larval ecology of halibut species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada.

Knowledge of the larval ecology of winter-spawning fish from the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, remains scarce due to the seasonal ice cover that prevents ichthyoplankton sampling using conventional methods. Two winter-spawning species, Atlantic halibut (AH, Hippoglossus hippoglossus) and Greenland halibut (GH, Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), support the most important groundfish fisheries of this area. In March 2020, the authors captured 10 halibut larvae ranging in size from 5 to 14 mm during an opportunistic survey in the GSL onboard an icebreaking vessel. Of these, eight were AH and two GH. Judging by their very small size, the larvae were only a few days old, suggesting that the spawning grounds are close to the capture sites. This effort constitutes a first step in validating the putative spawning areas for these two important GSL stocks. This knowledge is important for the conservation and sustainable management of these fisheries.

Numerical simulation on an icebreaking vessel with fixed drift angles in level ice

Icebreaking vessels will probably be collided by sea ice from different directions when they are moored or dynamically positioned. It may form serious ice rubble accumulations and cause large ice loads. In the present study, numerical models on an icebreaking vessel that interacted with level ice at different ice drift angles were established based on the FEM-SPH adaptive method to simulate the above situations. The effects of ice drift angle and speed were investigated. The primary goal of this study is to expound on the reasons for the formation of ice rubble accumulation and the influence of different parameters through motion analysis of SPH particles. It was demonstrated that the ice rubble motion is the direct reason for the related phenomena, while the ice drift angle and speed are the fundamental reasons. The ice drift angle has a decisive effect on ice rubble accumulation and icebreaking force. When the heading angle is 90°, the force in the ship width direction reaches the maximum value and the value is 2.22 MN, which is much higher than that of 0° example. Vessels need to change the position of collision with the sea ice to avoid this situation. The research in this paper is a good supplement to the model test. It is helpful to further understand and analyze the interaction between moored or dynamically positioned icebreaking ships and level ice.

Постановка задачи о техногенном подводном шуме как факторе государственной морской промышленной и транспортной политики

Object and purpose of research. The study addresses the technogenic underwater noise issues with a view to environmental and competitive challenges, as well as the Navy interests. Materials and methods. The issues studied in this investigation are relatively new for the Russian shipbuilding, shipping and marine activities, and the first step to systematic studies should be formulation of a technogenic noise problem as a physical phenomenon, which have to be considered in the state marine and transportation policy. The paper uses results of design studies performed in Krylov State research Centre, as well as information from mass media. The main sources of the technogenic underwater noise are coastal industries and port infrastructure, marine oil & gas structures, transport and ice-breaking vessels. Main results. It is concluded that a special-purpose integrated target program should be formulated and performed, whose result would be systematization of research and design projects aimed at the analysis, regulation and standardization of technogenic underwater noise parameters of various marine technologies. Conclusion. Technogenic underwater noise is directly related to the safety of marine ecosystems. In addition, it is a factor of commercial and large-scale economic competition in the international community. In future the technogenic underwater noise of marine facilities may become an instrument of competition for the opportunity and right to exploit Russian oil & gas deposits, as well as to use Russian Arctic routes. Against the backdrop of these two factors, the Navy interests are obviously to raise the efficiency of fixed and mobile sonar systems in the environment of high technogenic noise produced by civil marine activities.

수심 변화에 따른 볼라드 당김 및 과부하 조건에서의 다중 포드 추진 쇄빙선박의 여유추력 추정에 대한 수치해석적 연구

In this paper, a numerical analysis technique using a body force model is investigated to estimate the available net thrust of multi-pod-driven ice-breaking vessels under bollard pull and overload conditions. To employ the body force model in present flow simulations, drag and thrust components acting on the pod unit are calculated by using Propeller Open Water (POW) test data. The available net thrusts according to the direction of operation are evaluated in both bollard pull and overload conditions under deep water. The simulation results are compared with the model test data. The available net thrusts, calculated by the present analysis for ahead operating modes at 3~6 knots which are typical speeds of the target vessel in arctic field, are agreed well with the model test results. It is also found that the present result for astern operating mode appears approximately 6 % larger than the model test result. In addition, the available net thrusts are calculated under the both operating conditions accompanied by shallow water effects, and the main cause of the difference is studied. Based on the result of the present study, it is confirmed that the body force model can be applied to the performance evaluation of multi-pod propulsion system and the main engine selection in early design stage of the vessel.

«ПРИОРИТЕТ В СОЗДАНИИ АКТИВНОГО ЛЕДОКОЛЬНО-ТРАНСПОРТНОГО СУДНА БОЛЬШОЙ ГРУЗОПОДЪЕМНОСТИ ДОЛЖЕН БЫТЬ СОХРАНЕН ЗА СОВЕТСКИМ СОЮЗОМ»

The beginning of the 1950s was a period of active exploration of the Northern Sea Route, as well a time of aggravation of relations between world powers, which led to the development and strengthening of new economic and political positions of the Soviet Union. The authors of the article describe the prerequisites and the development of icebreaking shipbuilding in the USSR in the face of significant demand for new ships with a principled position to leave the accumulated experience inside the country. Particular attention is paid to an in-depth analysis of the established situation and the practice of developing a new icebreaking vessel at that time by outstanding Leningrad scientists from the Chief Directorate of the Northern Sea Route under the Council of Ministers of the USSR: A.I. Brandaus, V.F. Burkhanov, V.I. Neganov, N.A. Eremeev, A.S. Kolesnichenko, M.Y. Rogov and others. The paper also reflects the great interest of the central organizations of shipbuilding and management of the sea and river fleet in the rapid advancement of this project in the USSR.

Icebreaking polar class research vessels: New Antarctic fleet capabilities

Abstract Supporting Antarctic scientific investigation is the job of the national Antarctic programmes, the government entities charged with delivering their countries’ Antarctic research strategies. This requires sustained investment in people, innovative technologies, Antarctic infrastructures, and vessels with icebreaking capabilities. The recent endorsement of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Polar Code (2015) means that countries must address challenges related to an ageing icebreaking vessel fleet. Many countries have recently invested in and begun, or completed, builds on new icebreaking Polar research vessels. These vessels incorporate innovative technologies to increase fuel efficiency, to reduce noise output, and to address ways to protect the Antarctic environment in their design. This paper is a result of a Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) project on new vessel builds which began in 2018. It considers the recent vessel builds of Australia’s RSV Nuyina, China’s MV Xue Long 2, France’s L’Astrolabe, Norway’s RV Kronprins Haakon, Peru’s BAP Carrasco, and the United Kingdom’s RRS Sir David Attenborough. The paper provides examples of purposeful consideration of science support requirements and environmental sustainability in vessel designs and operations.

90 years of Arctic Ocean Exploration at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

In 2020, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) celebrates 90 years of research, education, and exploration of the World Ocean. Since inception this has included Arctic studies. In fact, WHOI’s first technical report is on the oceanographic data obtained during the submarine “Nautilus” polar expedition in 1931. In 1951 and 1952, WHOI scientists supervised the collection of hydrographic data during the U.S. Navy SkiJump I & II expeditions utilizing ski-equipped aircraft landings in the Beaufort Sea, and inferred the Beaufort Gyre circulation cell and existence of a mid-Arctic ridge. Later classified studies, particularly concerning under-ice acoustics, were conducted by WHOI personnel from Navy and Air Force ice camps. With the advent of simple satellite communications and positioning, WHOI oceanographers began to deploy buoys on sea ice to obtain surface atmosphere, ice, and upper ocean time series data in the central Arctic beginning in 1987. Observations from these first systems were limited technologically to discrete depths and constrained by power considerations, satellite throughput, as well as high costs. As technologies improved, WHOI developed the drifting Ice-Tethered Profiler (ITP) to obtain vertically continuous upper ocean data several times per day in the ice-covered basins and telemeter the data back in near real time to the lab. Since the 1980s, WHOI scientists have also been involved in geological, biological, ecological and geochemical studies of Arctic waters, typically from expeditions utilizing icebreaking vessels, or air supported drifting platforms. Since the 2000s, WHOI has maintained oceanographic moorings on the Beaufort Shelf and in the deep Canada Basin, the latter an element of the Beaufort Gyre Observing System (BGOS). BGOS maintains oceanographic moorings via icebreaker, and conducts annual hydrographic and geochemical surveys each summer to document the Beaufort Gyre freshwater reservoir that has changed significantly since earlier investigations from the 1950s–1980s. With the experience and results demonstrated over the past decades for furthering Arctic research, WHOI scientists are well positioned to continue to explore and study the polar oceans in the decades ahead

Seal and Polar Bear Behavioral Response to an Icebreaker Vessel in Northwest Greenland

Icebreaker vessels are important scientific tools, enabling access and research within the polar regions of the world, including the High Arctic. These vessels have the potential to overlap with ma ...

ANALYSIS OF THE STATE OF THE CURRENT ELECTROMAGNETIC SAFETY FOR CREWS OF THE ICEBREAKING FLEET VESSEL

Introduction. The article presents results of a study on the hygienic evaluation of the impact of levels of electromagnetic fields (EMF) from electrical equipment, communications and navigational aids on modern automated ice-breaking vessels to the electromagnetic safety of the crew. Material and methods. The instrumental measurement of EMF levels from power equipment, electronic equipment, computers, were conducted in places of a permanent and temporary stay of the crew watches in parked icebreakers in the port and during sea trials. The assessment of the levels of electromagnetic radiation from the antennas of radio relay stations (radar) was conducted using the forecasting parameters of the EMF. Results. Onboard computers, marine electrical, communications and radar transmitters do not create electromagnetic fields exceeding the RC in crew workplaces of ship premises. Levels of EMF SHF range generated by RADAR antennas on the open deck, also do not exceed RC. Electromagnetic fields exceeding the RC are registered at work communications transmitters VHF, MF/HF on the decks of the installation of antennas transmitting devices. Discussion. There is a relevant matter of the protection of the crew from the EMF generated by the antennas of modern radars. Evaluation of the EMF RADAR intensity is only possible on the basis of data on forecasting levels of the electromagnetic radiation. To protect the crew from the EMF generated by antennas means the marine radio and RADAR on open decks should implement measures to limit exposure time to install warning signs and placards. Conclusions. There is required the improvement of normative-methodical documents in the field of the protection of the crew from the EMF. You must create a measurement technique for recording the intensity of electromagnetic radiation from the radar. Research data can be used for the development of science-based sanitary-epidemiological requirements for electromagnetic safety of the crew.

Method on continuous ice-breaking capability assessment of icebreaker

The opening of the Ice Silk Road is a great significant for the realization of the close connection with the European, and it is a promotion for China’s economic development. The icebreaker will play an important role in the Arctic strategy. More accurate ice load calculation and prediction of ice breaking capacity methods will provide important technical support for the design and construction of icebreaker. This paper aims to solve the above problems and carry out the following research work. The ice load in continuous icebreaking type is calculated in 3D numerical method. Then, the motion differential equation in time history is established to calculate the motion response. In addition, the structure strength under ice breaking condition is evaluated based on FEM. At last, the evaluation method of continuous ice breaking capacity is proposed in this paper. Compared with the results of literature, the accuracy of the ice load calculated by this method meets the requirements and could further guide the design and development of ice breaking vessels.

One‐step electrochemical deposition to achieve superhydrophobic cobalt incorporated amorphous carbon‐based film with self‐cleaning and anti‐corrosion

Exploiting a superhydrophobic surface is very significant due to its excellent water repellency which has many practical applications in various fields. In this work, the cobalt incorporated amorphous carbon‐based (Co/a‐C:H) film was prepared successfully on Si substrate via a simple 1‐step electrochemical deposition where electrochemical deposition technology was using cobalt (II) acetylacetonate methanol solution as electrolyte under high voltage, atmospheric pressure, and low temperature. Surprisingly, the as‐prepared film showed a superior superhydrophobic surface with a water contact angle of 153 ± 1° and a sliding angle of 7.6° without any further modification of low surface energy materials. Especially, the tape adhesive, corrosion resistance, and self‐cleaning tests demonstrated that the as‐prepared carbon‐based film could possess fairly well adhesion, superior anti‐corrosion resistance, and self‐cleaning ability, respectively. It indicated that the superhydrophobic Co/a‐C:H film might have potential promising applications in the field of anti‐fouling, anti‐corrosion, and drag resistance, such as the above‐deck structures on icebreaker vessels, ship hulls, and offshore wind turbine blades.

쿼드트리 분할영상의 국부이진화를 통한 팩아이스 집적도 측정 알고리즘

Recently, many research works on the icebreaking vessels have been published as the possibility of passing Arctic routes has been increasing. The model ship test on the pack ice model in the ice basin is actively carried out as a way to investigate the performance of icebreaking vessels. In this test, the concentration of pack ice is important since it directly affects the performance. However, it is difficult to measure the concentration because not only the pack ice has uneven shape but also it keeps floating around in the basin. In this paper, an algorithm to identify the concentration of pack ice is introduced. From a digital image of pack ice obtained in the ice basin, the goal is to measure the area of pack ice using an image processing technique. Instead of the general global binarization that yields numerical errors in this problem, a local binarization technique, coupled with image subdivision based on the quadtree structure, is developed. The concentration results obtained by the developed algorithm are compared with the manually measured data to prove its accuracy.

Next-generation icebreaking vessels will venture deeper into polar environments

Next-generation icebreaking vessels will venture deeper into polar environments

Influence of bow design on ice breaking resistance

One of the main contributions to the resistance in level ice is the breaking force which is mainly influenced by the bow shape, beside ice properties and the ship’s speed. Understanding the influence of the bow shape on the ice breaking resistance is essential for the assessment of the hull form in an early design stage. However, at a first glance the bow shapes of modern ice breaking vessels seem to be quite similar. Thus, a need exists to evaluate the contribution of the ice breaking force to the resistance in ice methodically for different bow shapes. Since model tests are still the most reliable resistance prediction method, they form the basis for the analysis of the ice breaking process at the bow. Specifically, breaking patterns and geometric bow parameters are investigated. The findings are compared with the selected semi-empirical method of Lindqvist. On this basis the Lindqvist approach is evaluated with further model test results and theoretical considerations. Finally, refinements of the Lindqvist formula are suggested where appropriate based on the analysis.

Thickness Measure and Characteristic Length for Effective Young's Modulus of Model Ice Plate in the Ice Basin

Abstract The model ice is created at KRISO (Korea Research Institute for Ships and Ocean Engineering) ice basin where model ship is tested to obtain the necessary data in order to design the ice breaking vessels and ocean structures operating in the northern pole sea area. Through the model ship test, ice breaking, clearing, ice-ship and ice-propeller interaction behavior can be obtained. Since mechanical properties of ice plate are required for the model test, some tests are performed to obtain the properties in this paper. First, ultrasonic devide is used to measure the thickness of the model ice plate and the results show the possibility of using ultrasonic method, yet more sophisticated device or special sensors are required to measure the ice thickness completely. And the defection of ice plate is measured using LVDT to compute the characteristic length of ice plate on the fluid, which is used to get the effective Young's modulus of model ice. Keywords :ice basin(tank), model ice effective elastic modulus, plate characteristic length. LVDT(Linear Variable Differential Transformer), ultrasonic

Asteroids, ophiuroids and holothurians from the southeastern Weddell Sea (Southern Ocean).

Until the early 1980s, the composition and distribution of the asteroid (starfish), ophiuroid (brittle star) and holothurian (sea cucumber) bottom fauna of the southeastern Weddell Sea was virtually unknown. This southernmost part of the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean is a typical high-latitude Antarctic region located in the circumpolar permanent pack-ice zone. It became accessible for large-scale scientific surveys only through the availability of modern ice-breaking research vessels, such as the German RV “Polarstern”. Here, we describe a dataset of the faunal composition and abundance of starfish, brittle star and sea cucumber assemblages in this area, based on collections from trawl catches carried out during three “Polarstern” cruises in 1983, 1984 and 1985. The set comprises a total of 4,509 records of abundances of 35 asteroid species (with a total of 2,089 specimens) and 38 ophiuroid species (with a total of 18,484 specimens) from 34 stations, as well as of 66 holothurian species (with a total of 20,918 specimens) from 59 stations including zero-abundances (absences). A synthesizing zoogeographical community analysis confirms the presence of three distinct assemblages of asteroids, ophiuroids, and holothurians with highest species richness on the eastern shelf. Overall, starfishes, brittle stars and sea cucumbers were present at all sites investigated in the study area but composition and abundance of asterozoan (asteroids and ophiuroids together) and holothurian fauna varied considerably. A synthesizing zoogeographical community analysis confirms the presence of three distinct assemblages of asteroids, ophiuroids, and holothurians with highest species richness on the eastern shelf. In the case of asterozoans, water depth and latitude seemed to be the most important drivers of assemblage distribution and composition. One of the holothurian assemblages was part of the rich macrozoobenthic community dominated by a diverse and abundant epifauna, mainly sponges and gorgonians. Another one was mainly composed of vagrant deposit-feeding species inhabiting a predominantly non-colonised substratum. In addition, a mixed holothurian assemblage was identified.

Breaking the Ice

The article discusses a nuclear powered ice-breaking ocean vessel that will be developed by Russia's atomic fleet Rosatomflot in 2012, which will be used to clear the Northern Sea shipping route and research Russia's continental shelf in order to hold economic claims in the Arctic.

빙해선박의 선수 선형에 관한 연구

The operation scenarios, types of ice, draft and propulsion system are important design point on the beginning stage of the ice breaking vessel. The concept of hull form in ice breaking vessel has to compromise the performance according to the operation route especially if ship is operating in ice and ice free water. The several hull forms were proposed to optimize the capability of the vessel in this paper. The effect of hull form according to type of ice is also discussing and explaining the ice resistance in each ice type as like pack ice, brash ice, level ice, rubble ice and ice ridge. The draft effect was examined and propulsion system for example FPP(Fixed pitch propeller), CPP(Controllable pitch propeller) and POD system was compared focusing on the propulsion efficiency.