Abstract
As more of the aquaculture industry is expected to move production towards exposed waters, accurate numerical models are essential for ensuring safe and efficient operations at sea.
In this paper, a numerical model of a vessel moored to a fish cage was developed and validated using model test experiments. The tests were conducted in irregular waves, wind, and current, with the vessel positioned in both head sea and beam sea conditions. The same environmental conditions were applied in the numerical analysis. The vessel motions in all degrees of freedom were considered, along with the forces in anchor lines, vessel mooring lines and bridle lines. The numerical model was created using SIMA.
Various floater ring bending stiffness values were tested in the numerical simulations. The system showed minimal sensitivity to these variations. The numerical model generally over-predicted peak loads and motions due to lack of friction between the vessel and the floating ring. However, it accurately recreated the vessel response and line force response, with mean values and phases matching the model test results. Hence, SIMA can predict motions and forces in typical exposed vessel operation in aquaculture.