Approach to estimate the ship center of gravity based on accelerations and angular velocities without ship parameters

Abstract

An important aspect in the stability calculation of sailing ships is the actual center of gravity whereby changing load conditions complicate the calculations. Standard factors for these calculations are ship parameters and the hydrodynamic model of the ship. These calculations depend on the correct input of each individual load. This in turn is reflected in possibly incorrect calculations of the center of gravity and thus of the stability of the ship. This paper presents a new method that is independent of ship parameters describing the form of the ship. The center of gravity during sailing is calculated from the measurement data of motion sensors to avoid sources of error, such as the human input of parameters. In addition, this is a more cost-effective method than conventional methods. A new algorithm is presented which is derived from the heel test and the construction formulas and independent of human inputs and environmental factors such as wind and waves. The purpose of the calculation of the current centre of gravity during sailing is given in the further work, which calculates the ship movement and the actual sea state around the ship to predict dangerous situations for man and cargo at sea.