Influence of Ship-Tugboat Interaction on the Braking Performance of Tugboat Based on Model Experiments

Abstract

When a stern tug retards and stops an advancing ship by using the braking action of the propeller, ship-tug hydrodynamic interaction inevitably occurs. In order to carry out ship handling safely and efficiently, it is important to obtain data on the characteristics of the ship-tug interaction. The measured results of ship hull resistance and tug braking force in interactive condition were achieved by means of model experiments. The characteristics of ship hull resistance and tug braking force under ship-tug hydrodynamic interaction were obtained separately in aspects of ship speed, ship-tug distance and water depth. Finally, the effective braking force and its characteristics of the tug are suggested according to the analysis of the measurement results.