DAMAGE STABILITY OF HIGH SPEED TWIN-HULL CRAFT USING A TIME SIMULATION APPROACH

This paper describes an approach for assessing the damage stability of high speed twin-hull craft (HSTHC) based on time simulation of the vessel's dynamic behaviour in realistic environmental conditions. A coupled four-degrees-of-freedom mathematical model is used, taking into account water accumulation and progressive flooding. The damage survivability of the vessel is assessed by considering extreme but realisable damage scenarios. On the basis of these, the main influencing vessel design and environmental factors can be identified and relationship between then and inherent stability-related parameters can be established which could be used in proposing damage stability and survivability criteria. Using a 49 m wave-piercing catamaran as an example, key concepts pertinent to the static and dynamic characteristics of HSTHC are explored in proposing a framework for assessing the stability of these craft.