Review of the analytical prediction method of surf-riding threshold in following sea, and its relation to IMO second-generation intact stability criteria

TL;DR

This paper reviews the analytical methods for predicting surf-riding thresholds in following seas, focusing on Melnikov's method, and examines its relation to IMO's second-generation intact stability criteria.

Contribution

It analyzes and compares the theoretical prediction method based on Melnikov's method with IMO's SGISC, clarifying their relationship and proposing solution approaches.

Findings

Melnikov's method provides an analytical framework for surf-riding threshold prediction.

The relationship between Melnikov's method and IMO's criteria is explicitly established.

Approximate solution methods for nonlinear ship motion equations are discussed.

Abstract

In high-speed maritime operations, the broaching phenomenon can pose a significant risk when navigating in following/quartering seas. The occurrence of this phenomenon can result in a violent yaw motion, regardless of the steering effort, which, in turn, cause the resulting centrifugal force to capsize a vessel. A necessary condition for the occurrence of broaching is the surf-riding phenomenon. Therefore, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set up criteria to include theoretical formulas for estimating the occurrence of surf-riding phenomena. The theoretical equation used in the IMO's second-generation intact stability criteria (SGISC) to estimate the surf-riding threshold is based on Melnikov's method. This paper presents nonlinear equations describing the forward and backward motions of a ship. However, such equations cannot be directly solved; therefore, we proposed the use of and explain various approximate solution methods, including Meknikov's method. Subsequently, the relationship between the theoretical prediction method of the surf-riding threshold rooted in Melnikov's method and the IMO's SGISC is determined.