Seakeeping assessment of fishing vessels in conceptual design stage

Abstract

The main idea of this paper is to identify functional relations between seakeeping characteristics and hull form parameters of Mediterranean fishing vessels. Multiple regression analysis is used for quantitative assessment through a computer software that is based on the SQL Server Database. The seakeeping attributes under investigation are the transfer functions of heave and pitch motions and of absolute vertical acceleration at stern, while the ship parameters influencing motion dynamics have been classified into two groups: displacement (Delta) and main dimensions (L, B, T), coefficients that define the details of the hull form (C-WP, C-VP, LCB, LCF, etc.). Four multiple regression models having different parameter combinations are here investigated and discussed, giving way to the so-called 'Simple Model', 'Intermediate Model', 'Enhanced 1 Model' and 'Enhanced 2 Model'. The obtained results are more than satisfactory for seakeeping predictions during the conceptual design stage. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.