Assessing container ship maneuverability in regular waves: A combined experimental and numerical approach

In the traditional assessment of ship maneuvering characteristics, the influence of waves on the hydrodynamic behavior of a ship has been disregarded, despite their capacity to alter the kinematics of the surrounding water particles. This alteration, in turn, affects the hydrodynamic forces acting upon the ship, which ultimately leads to modifications in the vessel's steering and control characteristics. In the present study, a scaled model of a container ship was utilized to conduct free running turning circle maneuvers under varying head sea wave conditions, characterized by different wave heights and lengths. Through these tests, we aim to investigate the effects of wave parameters on the vessel's turning characteristics, thereby advancing our understanding of this critical aspect of naval engineering.