MANEUVERING

Comprehensive maneuvering capability is of vital importance for the safe and economic navigation of vessels. From the initial stages of ship design, BSHC can provide expert assistance to naval architects aiming to achieve optimal ship steering and course-keeping capability. Our recommendations are always in compliance with the current international standards and operating requirements. BSHC offers the following activities to verify ship performance:

Free running model tests of mono and multi-hull vessels

BSHC’s Maneuvering & Seakeeping Basin conducts a complete range of model tests including:

  • Standard IMO MSC.137(76) maneuvers of mono- and multihulls with conventional or water jet propulsion
  • Non-conventional maneuvers as “man over board”, “steering machine test”, etc.
  • Course stability test in calm water or in waves
  • Shallow water maneuvering
  • Low speed and harbor maneuvering
  • Astern maneuvering according to DIN 81208-7 requirements
  • Rudder forces and stock moment measurement in a steering motion
  • Maneuvering tests for underwater vessels

Our newly acquired 10-camera QUALISYS optical tracking system allows conducting maneuvering tests in waves.

Large Amplitude Planar Motion Mechanism (PMM) tests of surface ships, push-trains & submerged bodies

The following tests are conducted in the 200-m long Deep Water Towing Tank:

  • Standard PMM captive model maneuvering tests of mono- and multi-hulls in deep calm water
  • Astern four-quadrant PM tests
  • Rudder (azimuth thrusters, pods) forces and bending moment measurement
  • Yachts testing
  • Maneuvering tests for underwater vessels

The following tests are conducted in the 200-m long Shallow Water Towing Tank:

The bottom of the tank has high-precision flatness of the test area for conducting experiments in very shallow water:

  • Standard PMM captive model maneuvering tests in shallow water normally starting from water to draft ratio h/T=4 up to h/T=1.1
  • PMM model tests in channels
  • Ship-to-ship interaction model test
  • Ship-to-banks interaction model test

Predictions and simulation studies

Using an applied software the following experimental data post-processing and numerical analysis are offered:

  • Prediction of ship maneuvering performance in deep and shallow water based on free-running maneuvering tests
  • Prediction of ship maneuvering in waves
  • Simulation studies on ship maneuvers in deep and shallow water based on PMM test results
  • Prediction of ship maneuvering in wind conditions
  • Preliminary evaluation of turning and course-keeping at ship design stage
  • Preliminary evaluation of rudder forces and stock bending moment

Turning in deep and shallow waterZig-zag in deep and shallow waterSpiral in deep and shallow waterTurning in waves

Various ship maneuvering problems can be solved using our empirical database and model test results in parallel with in-house analysis tools, including 2D and 3D simulators.

Maneuvering team lead:

Prof. Dr. Evgeni Milanov
Tel.: +359 52 370 506
Fax: +359 52 370 514
E-mail: e.milanov@bshc.bg