Effects of Wave Drift Forces on Maneuvering of Ship

The dynamic positioning system of floating ocean structures requires hydrodynamic force derivatives to construct an accurate maneuvering model. In a severe sea state, the effects of ambient wave field on the maneuvering properties are not negligible. To investigate wave drift forces affecting on maneuvering of a ship relating to dynamic positioning system, an innovative model test, i.e. the Planer Motion Mechanism (PMM) test in waves is discussed in the present paper. Meanwhile, a theory to evaluate wave drift force including wave drift damping and wave drift added mass is summarized. Some examples of experiments done in Ocean Engineering Wave Basin of Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo are presented and compared with calculated results based on the above theory.Copyright © 2008 by ASME