Off-Design Propulsion Power Plant Investigations by Means of Free Running Manoeuvring Ship Model Test and Simulation Techniques

Twin screw vessels' propulsion system experiences strong off design conditions during tight manoeuvres due to the propellers inflow asymmetry arising from the coupled yaw-drift motion. Unfortunately, simplified mathematical models based upon statistical data or ad hoc executed captive model test (PMM or CMT) do not provide such a detailed information. Indeed, free running model tests are the best mean in order to get ship's trajectory and kinematics parameters data and propulsion behaviour by recording the loads (thrust and torque) on the shafts. More insight into this complex aspect is desired in order to improve and generalize the application of existing manoeuvring mathematical models for the preliminary design of unconventional propulsive configuration control system.