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High-Performance Marine Craft (HPMC) occupants are currently being investigated for various psychophysical impairments degrading work performance postulating that these deteriorations are related to their occupational exposures. However, scientific evidence for this is lacking and the association of exposure conditions aboard HPMC with adverse health and performance effects is unknown. Therefore, the study estimates the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among HPMC occupants and the association of their work exposure with MSP and performance degradation. It also presents a criterion for evaluating the self-reported exposure severity aboard three different types of mono-hull HPMC; displacement, semi-displacement and planing, on a par with the available standard criteria for objectively measurable exposures. Furthermore, another criterion is proposed to assess the performance-degradation of HPMC occupants based on self-reported fatigue symptoms and MSP. Swedish Coast Guard HPMC occupants were surveyed for MSP, fatigue symptoms as well as for work-related and individual risk indicators using a validated web-based questionnaire. Prevalence of MSP and performance-degradation during the past 12 months were assessed and presented as a percentage of the sample. Associations of exposure conditions aboard HPMC with MSP and performance-capacity were systematically evaluated using multiple logistic regression models and expressed as odds ratio (OR). Prevalence of MSP was 72% among which lower back pain was the most prevalent (46%) followed by neck pain (29%) and shoulder pain (23%) while 29% with degraded performance. Exposure to severe conditions aboard semi-displacement craft was associated with lower back (OR = 2.3) and shoulder (OR = 2.6) pain while severe conditions aboard planing craft with neck pain (OR = 2.3) and performance-degradation (OR = 2.6). MSP is common among Swedish coast guards. Severe exposure conditions aboard HPMC are significantly associated with both MSP and performance-degradation. The spine and shoulders are the most susceptible to work-related MSP among HPMC occupants which should be targeted in work-related preventive and corrective measures.

Working conditions of High-performance Marine Craft (HPMC) occupants are inherent with shock and vibration. Therefore, HPMC occupants are usually investigated believing that their psychophysical health and performance are negatively affected by exposure to these conditions. However, the association between the regular occupational vibration exposures of HPMC occupants and the deterioration of their health and performance is disputable. Therefore, a sample of HPMC occupants are investigated in a prospective cohort study by measuring perceived work exposure, health and performance via validated web-based questionnaires and physical work exposure as vibration using measurement systems installed onboard their craft. Incidence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) during four operational seasons is determined and presented as incidence proportion (IP). Association between accumulated vibration exposure aboard HPMC and incidence of MSP is systematically assessed using multiple logistic regression models and expressed as odds ratio (OR). Moreover, the correlation between objectively and subjectively measured vibration exposures is determined using the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient ( rs). Incidence proportion of neck pain was 63.4% and that of lower back pain ranged from 12.5% to 87.5% over the four seasons. The accumulated vibration exposure was strongly associated with the incidence of MSP primarily with lower back pain. However, the association was not statistically significant. The objective and subjective vibration exposures of the craft drivers showed a statistically significant positive monotonic correlation. The study suggests that occupational exposure to shock and vibration aboard HPMC is a factor increasing the incidence of MSP. The HPMC occupants regularly experience attrition in their performance. The perceived vibration exposure of the drivers can be used to rank the exposure severity aboard HPMC in the absence of objective measurements. The current vibration exposure assessment methods are also recommended to be revised accounting for shock and vibration inherent in HPMC exposures.

Background: Among the challenges for implementation of Waterborne public transportation (WPT) are the difficulties in procuring efficient ferries tailored towards local requirements. Fundamental questions on the ferry’s environmental impact, speed and procurement costs linger in the public transport (PTP) mind. Objective: In this paper, a methodology for adopting a platform architecture for ferries is illustrated by a modular design approach. Methods: For this, WPT operational profiles are categorized by three route types in a structure for operational requirements including sustainability performance. Generic parameters for size and speed of WPT ferries are defined. Using these parameters as a skeletal structure, a modular commuter ferry concept is proposed as a set of basic modules. As a combination of these functionally independent modules, a ferry can be tailored to fit the operational requirements. Results: The paper proposes standard sizes for waterborne commuter craft and shows that ferries are compatible with land-based public transport in terms of energy efficiency and speed. Suitable speed ranges for mono hulls and catamarans are investigated and the idea of modular design for rational procurement is explored and illustrated for the three type routes. Conclusions: The proposed concepts can make WPT more attractive for PTPs as a sustainable option to complement the existing network.

Increased urban congestion in cities has led to suggestions for the greater use of inland waterways for passenger transit. However, there has been relatively little exploration of how water transit differs in terms of passenger service attributes compared to other transport modes and how passenger attitudes toward water transit service factors may affect overall satisfaction. The present study attempts to address this gap in knowledge in a study of water transport users in Stockholm, Sweden in order understand how water transit fares compared to other modes. Building on the literature of attitudinal studies for other transit modes, a survey was conducted in the Stockholm metropolitan area of water transit users on the primary inner-city water transit route. Details on trip characteristics, demographic and passenger’s attitudes toward service attributes and their satisfaction was collected. After factor analysis, a structural equation model is proposed to explore the impact of service characteristics on global customer satisfaction. The results indicate that the latent factor comfort, including indicators such as cleanliness of vessel and environmental and scenic factors were more significant in explaining overall passenger satisfaction, above service issues such as network size and frequency. The finding supports the growing body of research highlighting the importance of such experiential factors in explaining customer satisfaction within public transport. Greater incorporation of such non-traditional service attributes can therefore give a better picture of transit user mode choice behavior and aid in future service planning ongoing policy development of the water transit network in Stockholm.

A time-domain strip method, in the Zarnick tradition, is used to discuss the modeling implications when alongships geometrical variations are studied, eg. warp or motion with frequent bow submergence. Results from simulations and published model test results for three warped hulls and their parent prismatic hull, in calm water and regular waves are presented. It is concluded that warp can be modelled by the strip approach. Non-the less, method development is proposed and the importance of combining different numerical end experimental methods both in research and design is stressed.

Within waterborne public transportation (WPT), one often observes a mismatch between the operational requirements and ferry characteristics. A method to holistically evaluate ferries with respect to local requirements could lead to tailored procurement and targeted refurbishment of existing fleet. In this study, we develop a structure for operational requirements and use it as a basis for a ferry evaluation methodology. The requirements’ structure follows a three-level hierarchy starting from broad vessel design to mandatory requirements to performance requirements. The performance requirements are based on the three pillars of sustainability, aided by commuter surveys carried out in Stockholm ferries, interviews with public transport providers (PTP) and previous literature. The evaluation of the ferry is performed using analytic hierarchic process (AHP) to convert the PTP’s subjective preferences and ferry performance into a single dimensionless index. Rules for quantification of performance metrics including social performance are proposed. The uncertainties associated with AHP are addressed by employing fuzzy AHP based on extent analysis and fuzzy AHP in combination with particle swarm optimization. Two applications including performance assessment of existing ferries and assembly of a modular ferry are discussed. The method can lead to objective decision making in ferry evaluation, potentially leading to a more efficient WPT.

The paper presents an approach for time-domain simulation of structure responses, along with hydromechanic and structure inertia loads and motions responses, for high-speed planing craft in waves. Hydromechanic loads and motion responses are calculated with a non-linear time-domain strip method. A pressure shape function is introduced which enables formulation of detailed slamming pressure distributions sequences from the section forces in the strip method simulations. Structure responses are calculated quasi-dynamically by applying the momentary distributed pressure loads on a global finite element representation of the hull structure with use of inertia relief. From the time series output extreme responses are determined by means of short-term statistics. Promising results are demonstrated in applications on a high-speed planing craft, where extreme values of simulated structure responses are compared with responses to uniform design pressures from classification rules and measured responses from full-scale trials. The approach is concluded to be a useful tool for further research which has potential to form the basis for establishment of a computationally efficient simulation-based design methodology. A corresponding experimental modelling approach is presented in a parallel paper. QC 20200925

A simplified numerical model is introduced to predict ice impact force acting on the ship hull in level ice condition. The model is based on ice-hull collision mechanisms and the essential ice breaking characteristics. The two critical ice failure modes, localized crushing and bending breaking, are addressed. An energy method is used to estimate the crushing force and the indentation displacement for different geometry schemes of ice-ship interaction. Ice bending breaking scenario is taken as a semi-infinite plate under a distributed load resting on an elastic foundation. An integrated complete ice-hull impact event is introduced with ice failure modes and breaking patterns. Impact location randomness and number of broken ice wedges are considered in order to establish a stochastic model. The analysis is validated by comparison with the model ice test of a shuttle passenger ferry performed in May 2017 for SSPA Sweden AB at Aker Arctic Technology Inc. Good agreement is achieved with appropriate parameter selection assumed from the model test and when ice bending failure is dominant. This model can be used to predict the ice impact load and creates a bridge between design parameters (ice properties and ship geometry) and structure loads. QC 20200123

The modelling of planing craft dynamics in waves and related fluid-structure interaction is a hard challenge due to the highly nonlinear, transient and stochastic nature of the whole process. This paper explores the prospectives of detailed experimental modelling of the local structure responses for high-speed planing craft in waves. A novel experimental setup is presented where a well-defined model structure is integrated into the hull bottom of a typical planing craft model. The model is instrumented for measuring strains in the model structure, related slamming pressures, craft rigid body motions and accelerations. The experimental setup is thoroughly described and motivated and crucial aspects of the setup are verified through testing in idealized static loading conditions and by modal analysis. The capabilities of the experimental setup are demonstrated through systematic experiments in regular waves. The most indicative results are presented and discussed in relation to corresponding results from time-domain simulations. The presented experimental modelling approach is concluded to enable uniquely detailed studies of the complete slamming related fluid-structure interaction process and provides a good tool for further research and development towards establishment of first principles-based methods for hydrodynamic and structure design of high-speed planing craft.

With increasing need to utilize inland waterways (IWW), the design for IWW vessels gains attention both from a transport efficiency and an emission control point of view. The primarily issue is to estimate the ice pressure acting on the ship hull for inland waterways. Ice information for Lake Mälaren is extracted and analysed in this work. Since the ice properties have great influence on the impact load, they are studied based on empirical formulae and are calibrated by reference data. The ice impact is then predicted for an inland water barge. Probabilistic method is selected to derive the load based on available field test data. Several parent datasets are chosen, and different design strategies are implemented to evaluate the ice impact load and investigate the influences from exposure factors. The paper finds that the design curve of α = 0.265a−0.57 can be used for Lake Mälaren. The approach itself introduces a possible way to investigate loads on ice affected IWW.

Design and operation of high-speed planing craft is ruled by the hydrodynamic impact loads and the related craft responses occurring at violent wave encounters. Simulation, measurement and characterization of these loads and responses is however far from trivial. Hereby the general knowledge about these processes is actually rather limited and it is common to rely on simple semi-empirical formulas when designing and analyzing high-speed craft. This paper presents a unique set of impact acceleration data for a high-speed craft in waves, generated based on non-linear strip simulations. Methods and measures for statistical characterization of the acceleration process are established and evaluated, and by application of these methods on the simulation data a number of issues are clarified, for example: slamming time scales and selection of appropriate sampling rates and filtering levels; identification of peak values in acceleration signals; statistical distributions and convergence; and the relation between the statistical peak fraction averages that are commonly used as design parameters and the actual extreme values. The established methods and generated results form a valuable basis for setting up and analyzing high-speed craft experiments and simulations, and for validating and updating the prevailing semi-empirical methods.

A comparative Life Cycle Assessment is performed for different structural material concepts on a 24-m-long high-speed patrol craft. The study is comparative and determines the differences in and sensitivities to environmental impact, especially in relation to the total impact of fuel burn for the different material concepts. The material concepts are aluminium and various composite combinations consisting of glass fibre and carbon fibre with vinyl ester resin both as single skins and as sandwich with a Divinycell foam core. Commercially available standard Life Cycle Assessment software is used for the Life Cycle Assessment calculations. The study shows that regardless of hull material concept, the environmental impact is dominated by the operational phase due to relatively large fuel consumption. In the operational phase, the lightest carbon-fibre concept is shown to have least environmental impact. Considering the manufacturing phase exclusively for the different hull concepts, it is concluded that the manufacturing of the aluminium hull has a somewhat larger environment impact for the majority of Life Cycle Assessment impact categories in comparison to the different composite hulls. The significant impact on the marine and the fresh water aquatic ecotoxicity originates from the aluminium raw material excavation and manufacturing processes. It is shown that the lightest hull, the carbon-fibre sandwich concept, with a 50% structural weight reduction compared to the aluminium design, can be utilized to reduce the fuel consumption by 20% (775 ton of diesel) over the lifetime with significant impact on the dominating environmental aspects considered herein, abiotic depletion, global warming and acidification.

Objective High-performance marine craft personnel (HPMCP) are regularly exposed to vibration and repeated shock (VRS) levels exceeding maximum limitations stated by international legislation. Whereas such exposure reportedly is detrimental to health and performance, the epidemiological data necessary to link these adverse effects causally to VRS are not available in the scientific literature, and no suitable tools for acquiring such data exist. This study therefore constructed a questionnaire for longitudinal investigations in HPMCP. Methods A consensus panel defined content domains, identified relevant items and outlined a questionnaire. The relevance and simplicity of the questionnaire's content were then systematically assessed by expert raters in three consecutive stages, each followed by revisions. An item-level content validity index (I-CVI) was computed as the proportion of experts rating an item as relevant and simple, and a scale-level content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) as the average I-CVI across items. The thresholds for acceptable content validity were 0.78 and 0.90, respectively. Finally, a dynamic web version of the questionnaire was constructed and pilot tested over a 1-month period during a marine exercise in a study population sample of eight subjects, while accelerometers simultaneously quantified VRS exposure. Results Content domains were defined as work exposure, musculoskeletal pain and human performance, and items were selected to reflect these constructs. Ratings from nine experts yielded S-CVI/Ave of 0.97 and 1.00 for relevance and simplicity, respectively, and the pilot test suggested that responses were sensitive to change in acceleration and that the questionnaire, following some adjustments, was feasible for its intended purpose. Conclusions A dynamic web-based questionnaire for longitudinal survey of key variables in HPMCP was constructed. Expert ratings supported that the questionnaire content is relevant, simple and sufficiently comprehensive, and the pilot test suggested that the questionnaire is feasible for longitudinal measurements in the study population. QC 20171204

Severe working conditions on board high-speed craft adversely affect not only the safety, health and performance of the crew but also the performance of the vessel as a technical system. Human factors–based ship design combined with appropriate vibration mitigation techniques and work routines for the crew can improve the working conditions and reduce the risks for performance degradation and adverse health effects. To enable development and use of such means, methods for prediction and evaluation of working conditions are needed for both existing high-speed craft and craft under design. This article presents a 2-degree-of-freedom seat model compatible with both measured and simulated input data. The interaction between seat and human is treated using the concept of apparent mass. The model is validated against experiment data collected on board a 10-m, 50-knot high-speed craft equipped with high-standard suspension seats. Evaluation measures defined in ISO 2631-1 and ISO 2631-5 are used to compare experiment data to modelled data. The seat model slightly overestimates the experiment Sed dose by a mean of 6.5% and underestimates the experiment vibration dose value (8 h) by 4.0%. It is concluded that model data correlate well with experiment data.

Previous studies have shown how the use of composite materials and application of sophisticated design methods can give significantly lighter high-speed craft structures than what is normally achieved for traditional aluminium designs. A reduction in structural mass and a corresponding reduction in displacement improve the craft calm water performance but can be unfavourable regarding the rough water performance. Here, the rough water performance of two versions of a fast patrol vessel, one in aluminium and the other in carbon fibre sandwich, is studied with simplified semi-empirical methods and more advanced non-linear time domain simulations. In speeds up to 30 knots, the rough water performance of the two craft versions is found to be practically equal. At higher speeds, the lighter composite craft experiences higher vertical accelerations than the heavier aluminium craft, which implies less operational availability. Using trim ballast tanks, the rough water performance of the lighter craft is improved, and it is shown that the acceleration levels can be reduced and even lowered relative to the heavier aluminium craft. This means that the calm water advantages of a lighter composite vessel can be utilized with the same ride comfort and operational availability as for a heavier aluminium vessel.

The paper compares measurement-based measures for human vibration exposure. Data were collected during sea trials on a 10 m, 50 kn coastguard craft equipped with a three-axial accelerometer at the coxswain seat and with vertically mounted gauges measuring the acceleration of the cockpit floor. The ISO 2631-1:1997 measures of vibration (namely the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value of the whole-body vibration (determined from the frequency-weighted acceleration signal), the maximum transient vibration value (MTVV), and the vibration dose value), the ISO 2631-5:2004 measure (namely the daily equivalent static compression dose Sed), and also statistically based measures to evaluate the acceleration magnitude are compared and discussed with respect to their ability to identify the mitigating effect of the suspension seat and how the different measures rank the severity of the high-speed craft (HSC) ride. The paper concludes that the r.m.s. value and the MTVV are unsuitable for evaluation of the conditions aboard while the other investigated measures show potential in this respect. Further the approach of ISO 2631-5:2004 taking both the short-term and the long-term perspectives on the human exposure to vibration is concluded to be the most mature method well suited to evaluation of HSC conditions.

Time-Domain Simulations and Measurements of Loads and Motions of Planning High-Speed Craft in Waves

The aim of the experiment was time-domain monitoring and analysis of the pressure distribution on planing craft inwaves. A model was instrumented with pressure transducers and towed in calm water, ...