Hull form optimisation to minimise the total resistance and dynamic responses of small fishing vessels

This paper presents a novel approach to ship hull form optimisation, aimed at minimising total resistance while simultaneously enhancing the seakeeping performance of a fishing vessel. When conducting optimisation process in minimising resistance, the method employs the minimisation of the y-axis radius of gyration (Ry) by optimising the longitudinal centre of gravity (LCG) and vertical centre of gravity (KG). The influence of altering LCG and KG on Ry, total resistance, and seakeeping is explored. Reducing Ry enhances seakeeping performance, lower added resistance, resulting in a reduced mean total resistance in waves. This finding demonstrates that it is possible to reduce resistance and improve seakeeping performance simultaneously without the need for multi-objective optimisation to balance the two. By employing the method outlined in this paper, seakeeping performance can be enhanced alongside resistance optimisation in a single process. The optimal hull form can reduce root mean square (RMS) vertical acceleration, RMS pitch motion, and added resistance on average by 1.79%, 1.51%, and 6.48%, respectively. In addition, the mean total resistance in waves for the optimised hull form was reduced by up to 4.15% compared to the initial hull form. This method offers a streamlined solution to achieving multiple performance objectives concurrently.