Investigation of Environmental Effects of High Speed Boats

Abstract

Luxury high-speed boats are increasingly being used for entertainment purposes. However, not only humans, but also animals are negatively affected by high-speed boats, and time is running out fast for people to do something about it. This study presents a review of current negative effects of high-speed boats to the environment. In this study, the flow around a benchmark planing Fridsma boat is simulated by CFD and resistance values for different non-dimensional Froude number (Fn) conditions are validated from the experimental results obtained from the literature. Using the same CFD methodology, a catamaran model in which the towing tank test results are available, is simulated for different Fn conditions and resistance values are predicted. In the CFD analysis, unsteady flow around the Fridsma hull model and catamaran model is simulated using overset meshing technique and turbulence is modeled by Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) with SST (Menter) k-omega turbulence model. Resistance values are compared with the experimental data and required propulsion powers are estimated for different Fn conditions. Then, total resistance of the catamaran for full-scale vessel is calculated using an extrapolation method and required propulsion power predictions are conducted. Noise prediction, corresponding to the required propulsion power are presented. In particular, the change of noise level and harmful gases released into the environment, when the speed of the vessel increases are examined and discussed. Consequently, it is believed that this study would lay an important foundation for the widespread investigation for the negative effects of the high-speed boats in the future.