HYDRODYNAMIC AND PROPULSION DESIGN CONCEPTS OF TUNA PURSE SEINERS

To be competitive in the canned tuna industry of today, tuna purse seiners fishing in the distant waters of the world's oceans must be larger and faster. At the same time, they must have lower fuel consumption with reduced main propulsion engine maintenance costs. These conflicting goals create a tough design problem for the naval architect designing tuna seiners. This paper discusses how a Shipyard discovered solutions to this problem throughout the design program for its new Super Pacific Class purse seiner. The entire program followed four distinct phases. In the first phase, successful tuna purse seiner designs were evaluated by comparison and re-expansion of existing model test data and analysis of brake horsepower (BHP) curves developed from sea trial data. Possible improvements in principle characteristics were investigated through parametric studies of standard series and extensive research in published technical literature. The conclusions of this research phase were then applied to the model testing program of the second phase. The third phase concentrated on minimising appendage and wind resistance. In the fourth phase, the interaction of the hull, propeller and main propulsion machinery driveline was carefully studied to ensure a completely integrated, optimised system. Considerable service experience has now been gained. Higher vessel speeds have indeed increased the competitiveness of these vessels by generating larger fish catches. The improved hull form and increased propulsive efficiency also translate into improved net setting characteristics, lower fuel consumption and reduced engine maintenance and overhaul. Success in achieving the design objectives can be measured in major economic advantages over previous designs.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • SNAME, Annual Meeting, 28-31 Oct 1992, New York, USA, Pprs. Ppr No. 1 [25 p, 31 ref, 25 fig]
• Authors:
  • Dirks, D S
  • Hetherington, G M
• Publication Date: 1992

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Fishing vessels; Performance; Propulsion; Ships; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Ship design
• Old TRIS Terms: Propulsive performance; Resistance
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00704133
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM