Hydrodynamic interactions between ships during underway replenishment

This paper describes a numerical program and experiments examining motions of waves for two ships in close proximity, as would occur during underway replenishment of naval vessels. The numerical model uses linear frequency domain approach and includes hydrodynamic interactions for predicting motions of two ships in waves. Due to a scarcity of data in the open literature, it was necessary to conduct new towing tank experiments of two ships in waves. Comparisons between predictions and experiments are encouraging for two ships travelling with forward speed in head seas. Numerical predictions for realistic seaways indicate that the presence of a larger supply ship can induce roll motions on a frigate during underway replenishment in head seas.NRC publication: Ye