Abstract
In certain, but not all, circumstances a cloud of spray forms after a wave impacts a ship. The frequency of spray events affects the icing process. Previous spray frequency formulas are derived empirically from field observations considering only the ship’s forward speed and oceanographic conditions. The significance of various degrees of ship motions on the spray frequency is ignored. However in reality, the interrelationships of heave and pitch motions under wave actions together with surge motion determine the number of spray events that a ship may experience in a given period of time.
This paper introduces a theoretical model for estimating the frequency of sea spray considering ship motions. Ship motions can be easily estimated by strip/panel methods. However, in this work, the aim was to develop a simple framework for a quick estimate of spray frequency. The model inputs are, therefore, restricted to ship’s principal particulars, its operating conditions, and the environmental conditions. The wave-induced motions are estimated by semi empirical analytical expressions. A novel spray threshold is developed to keep the deck wetness frequency separated from the spray frequency. The proposed spray frequency formula is validated against available full-scale field measurements from a Russian fishing vessel, MFV Narva, and reasonable agreement is found. Limitations of previous empirical formulas are also discussed.
