Ship performance monitoring dedicated to biofouling analysis: development on a small size research catamaran

This paper provides a description of the deterministic ship performance monitoring system developed and installed on Newcastle University's Research Vessel, The Princess Royal, for the estimation of the effect of hull and propeller fouling on the vessel's performance. The study revolves around the principle of data normalisation, both in its theoretical and practical aspects. A procedure for correcting weather and operational disturbances is introduced that takes into account plausible resources limitations. According to the needs emphasised by the normalisation process, the required onboard measurement system is described as it was implemented on the research vessel. A robust method to prepare the raw data for the analysis and suitable for all ship types and sizes is then proposed. A performance analysis method is finally defined using four different indicators of the vessel hydrodynamic performance. On-board measurements are presented and analysed according to the proposed methodology. Results show an increase in resistance of over 20% with extensive shell fouling and prove the effectiveness of the used method.