Effect of Load Condition on Turning Performance of a VLCC in Adverse Weather Conditions

Effect of Load Condition on Turning Performance of a VLCC in Adverse Weather Conditions

The load condition significantly influences ship maneuverability in calm water. In this research, the effect of the load condition on turning performance of a very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) sailing in adverse weather conditions is investigated by an MMG-based maneuvering simulation method. The relative drift direction of the ship in turning to the wave direction is $20^{\circ}-30^{\circ}$ in ballast load condition (NB) and full load condition (DF) with a rudder angle $35^{\circ}$ and almost constant for any wind (wave) directions. The drifting displacement in turning under NB becomes larger than that under DF at the same environmental condition. Advance $A_d$ and tactical diameter $D_t$ become significantly small with an increasing Beaufort scale in head wind and waves when approaching, although $A_d$ and $D_t$ are almost constant in following wind and waves. In beam wind and waves, the tendency depends on the plus and minus of the rudder angle.