Feature 5
advance,” Van den Boom said. “At the
time it was really only possible to make
predictions for 10-15 seconds at a time,
equivalent to about one wave period.”
MARIN started out working with
a partner in the UK using laser radar
(LIDAR) to measure wave motion,
but settled on using data from X-band
navigation radars of the type developed by
OceanWaves in Germany (OceanWaves’
WaMos system is an operational wave
and current monitoring system designed
for use in adverse environmental
conditions. It measures and displays
essential wave field parameters such
as significant wave height, periods and
directions as well as surface current speed
and direction in realtime, and can operate
from moving vessels). Schematic showing how the OWME works.
Remote wave sensing
The successful approach, which was operations safer and more efficient. For its sponsored by oil companies, offshore
recently demonstrated on an offshore part, OceanWaves says it is continuing to contractors, ship operators, helicopter
vessel operating in the North Sea, used work on the commercialisation of OWME operators, helideck manufacturers and
remote wave sensing by means of an technology, refining the algorithms it uses some civil aviation authorities.
OceanWaves X-band radar, allied to data and developing a Graphical User Interface,
processing, application of an advanced wave and is talking to potential partners about Twin-track approach
propagation model, and the use of computed further trials. The project will have a twin-track
vessel motion characteristics based on the Following on from the OWME project, approach, focussing not just on naval
output of the propagation model. MARIN is about to start using the output helicopter operations, but on enhancing
“Platform motions originate from from the OWME project in another helicopter services in the offshore industry.
incident waves, so our approach is based project dubbed Helicopter Operations “Increasingly, helicopters have to operate
on measuring the sea state with the from Offshore Ships (HELIOS), a two-year on smaller platforms and relatively small
X-Band radar up to 3km from the vessel,” joint industry programme starting in monohulls,” Van den Boom explained.
Van den Boom explained. “By digitising September 2009. This project is also being “They play a key role transporting personnel
the sea surface the individual waves can to and from seismic survey vessels, and
be recorded. Individual waves are form a critical link in offshore logistics.”
extracted and essential parameters There is, notes MARIN, a need for better
deduced as input for the wave propagation physical understanding of helicopter
model, which is used to predict the wave operations in relation to smaller vessels
elevation at the platform. The final step in order to optimise operations. The
is to compute the vessel motions from aim of the HELIOS project is, therefore:
this wave elevation. Data fusion with to report on current practice regarding
the continuously recorded motions helicopter operations on vessels,
complements the system.” in cluding the relevant regulations and
Critical in this computational method flight procedures in the various countries
is, obviously, the time required to conduct and sectors; provide insight into the
the data processing – the greater the physics of helicopter operations in
length of time the process takes, the more relation to ships; examine workability
the time over which vessel motion can be criteria; develop a methodology for
predicted is reduced. assessment of operational envelopes; and
MARIN plans to continue to work on provide recommendations for design of
the OWME concept, refine and enhance ships and helidecks and support systems.
it, and sees numerous opportunities for
The wide range of operations carried out
The project will also examine the
further development, not least using
by naval helicopters would make a system
feasibility of a helicopter-ship simulator
the concept to make naval helicopter
such as the OWME especially useful.
for training purposes. WT
Warship Technology May 2009 45
p44-45_WT_May09.indd 45 17/04/2009 15:26:20
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52