Centre for Marine Science and Technology

Maritime Operations Capability Statement

The prediction, measurement and improvement of performance for maritime operations requires a multi-disciplinary approach, incorporating ship design, hydrodynamics, applied oceanography, instrumentation, and data processing skills.

The Centre for Marine Science and Technology (CMST) at Curtin University comprises a multi-skilled body of naval architects, engineers and scientists committed to research and development. Since its foundation in 1985, the Centre has earned a reputation as a group which responds quickly to industry and Government needs, producing the required outcomes on time and on budget.

Three modes of operation are available:

The preferred process is dependent upon the requirements of the client.

During all commercial-in-confidence work quality assurance activities are carried out in accordance with CMST’s Quality Management System.

A wide range of clients have utilised the services of CMST including: Austal Ships, Marine Department Hong Kong, JFA, NZ Maritime Safety Authority, Voyage Management Systems, Maunsell and Tenix Defence.

CMST has linkages to a number of research providers, giving access to exceptional expertise and facilities. The Australian Maritime College has been a long-term partner and holds a Memorandum of Understanding with CMST. CMST has utilised its hydrodynamic testing facilities extensively during projects.

Underkeel clearance calculations

CMST provides consulting and modelling services for underkeel clearance for ships in shallow water. This may be in the form of squat tables, developing guidelines for ship entry into a harbour, optimizing channel design or assessing grounding risk. Both squat and wave-induced vertical motions can be predicted.

CMST has worked with New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority, Marine Dept. Hong Kong and several industry partners on commercial-in-confidence projects developing underkeel clearance guidelines for port operations.

Vessel motions prediction

CMST has developed a sea loads and motions program that calculates the coupled heave and pitch motions and the added resistance due to the waves. It also includes the calculation of shear force and longitudinal bending moment.

A version of this program ‘SeaKeeper’ has been licensed to Formation Design Systems  as part of their MaxSurf suite of programs, and is used by more than 100 naval architects worldwide.

Extensive validation of the program has been conducted through comparison with towing tank test results and full scale sea trials of various hull forms.

The program has been used for a range of projects including prediction of the effect of increasing breakwater length on vessel operations downtime due to wave-induced motions.

Full scale measurements

CMST has extensive experience in conducting sea trials on commercial, military and pleasure vessels for the purpose of performance assessment. It has the skills and equipment to undertake a range of measurements on marine vessels and structures. Such trials may be required in order to:

The Centre utilises a suite of motion sensors for measuring the heave, pitch and roll of vessels whilst the wave environment is measured using pressure sensors linked to individual data loggers.

CMST multi-channel data acquisition system allows logging of an array of sensors including strain gauges, load cells, pressure transducers and accelerometers.

Motion control systems

CMST has designed, built and tested the electronics and software for the motion stabiliser system for high speed ferries.

The system has been fitted successfully to 22 vessels ranging in length from 37m to 86m that are in operation on routes all around the world from Europe to Asia and from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Motion reductions are usually in the range of 35 – 50% when the vessel is operating at cruising speed.

CMST researchers have established a spin-off company Sea Gyro Pty Ltd, to design and manufacture vessel roll stabiliser systems that perform efficiently and economically whether the vessel is at anchor or under way. Sea Gyros have been installed in a power yachts, dive boats and fishing vessels in Australia and New Zealand.

CMST Personnel

CMST has a team of fifteen multi-skilled naval architects, engineers and scientists. Staff that work in the area of maritime operations include:

Kim Klaka  PhD, MAppSc, CPEng, MIEAust, MRINA, MSNAME
Centre Director with 30 years experience in naval architecture, specialising in ship motions prediction and measurement.

Tim Gourlay  PhD, BSc[Hons]
Research Fellow in ship hydrodynamics with particular expertise in ship squat in harbours and restricted channels.

Alec Duncan  PhD, MAppSc, BAppSc, MIEEE
Senior Research Fellow with a wealth of experience in instrumentation, signal processing, electronic design and development, software for real-time systems, data acquisition and data analysis.

Amos Maggi  BappSc(Hons)
Research Fellow with a background in physics and measurement science. Experienced in the development of software for data acquisition and various forms of data analysis.

Frank Thomas MEng, BEng
An electronic engineer with extensive experience in communication protocols, telemetry systems and embedded controllers.

 

For further details on our services please contact:

Dr. Kim Klaka
Director
CMST
Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U1987
Perth
Western Australia 6845

Tel: 08 9266 7380
Fax: 08 9266 4799
Email: k.klaka

 

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July 25, 2007