A novel method of ship manoeuvring model identification from sea trials

The ship manoeuvring dynamics consists of surge, sway, and yaw differential equations (coupled mutually with each other). a basic principle of the proposed manoeuvring model identification algorithm is that both sway and yaw equations may directly assimilate, instead of the motions derived from other one or two equations, the corresponding sea trial data. Under such conditions, the evaluated hull and rudder sub-models are more adequate and less ambiguous. An approach has been made also to compose the hull hydrodynamics from turning tests, while z-tests refine the rudder related model parameters. The obtained final manoeuvring prediction is excellent.