Sikuliaq Seakeeping Study

Goals & Objectives

The main goal of this project is to assess the seakeeping (ability of a vessel to be stable and navigate safely in rough conditions at sea) of the research vessel (R/V) Sikuliaq. The assessment will be conducted using a data acquisition and motion monitoring system called the Small Craft Motion Program (SCraMP) that the PI developed in 2011 and successively updated in the time since. SCraMP is a simple, efficient, and low development cost program written for iOS devices.

There are two emphases on this study:

1. Characterize the motions of the Sikuliaq in conditions up to and including Sea State 5 (out of 0 to 9 as 0 is “calm” and 5 is “rough”), using data collected by hardware (iOS devices) and software (SCraMP).
2. Assess the effectiveness and necessity of the installed anti-roll tank.

Project Approach & Activities

The data collection process will be conducted by the Sikuliaq crew, with guidance from the PI and her team, using the SCraMP application. Rotations and acceleration data will be collected with iOS devices mounted aboard the vessel. The SCraMP motions data will be supplemented with buoy data, crew observation, and any available ship meteorological or motion reference unit data. A standardized log sheet will also be used to document each run and correlate to data acquired through the iOS devices.

Faculty and Facility

PI: Leigh McCue-Weil

Funding Source

“Sikuliaq Seakeeping Study”, University of Alaska at Fairbanks, (07/01/14 – 08/01/15) PI: L. McCue-Weil.