The relation between motions of moored ships due to wake wash of passing vessels and the hindrance thereof

After the introduction of Fast Ferry public transport in the Netherlands a number of complaints about wake wash induced hindrance onboard moored vessels appeared. It was already possible to calculate the wake wash characteristics of fast sailing vessels, the progress of these waves in a waterway and their effect on moored vessels. This paper describes the full scale tests carried out to develop the missing relation between the wash induced motions of a moored vessel and the hindrance thereof. Many different combinations of moored ships, passing ships and shore configurations have been realised. An expert panel scored the hindrance due to the motions of the moored vessel. A guideline for maximum ship motions is developed from the results. With this guideline, it can be determined prior to the introduction of a new innovative vessel with reasonable accuracy if its wake wash will remain within acceptable limits. © 2009: The Royal Institution of Naval Architects