The four MONITUS partners are developing software to help captains navigate smoothly through rough seas. By modelling how high-speed ferries move in high waves or winds, the team is developing simple instructions to help captains reduce excess motion – and stop passengers feeling seasick.
Joergen Jensen and colleagues at Danmarks Techniske Universitet are responsible for the onboard software. He described the system: "A network of sensors around the hull and cabins feeds data into a computer which tells the captain about the sea state and the current comfort of passengers. It gives immediate indications of whether the ship should change course, and whether to slow down or speed up.
"At the moment captains slow down too early, but this system makes it possible to optimise ship speed without compromising comfort."
The MONITUS sensors, which are currently being tested on a working ferry between Barcelona and Menorca, could shave 10% off an average journey time. A shorter journey time will sell itself to passengers, and give ferry lines more mileage out of each ship.
Under international safety regulations, ships need approval from a classification society before they go to sea. Different environmental restrictions apply to different types of boat. For instance, high-speed ferries are only allowed to sail if the forecast is for waves beneath a certain height.
By constantly monitoring strains and motion, MONITUS helps the captain protect the ship's structural safety. This should allow high-speed ferries to gain licences for rougher seas, and make for a more competitive transport industry.
This is confirmed by Dr Mario Dogliani of the Italian-based RINA, one of the world's top classification agencies and the MONITUS Project Leader: "Our role is to verify the monitoring systems and the calculations behind it, which provide feedback and suggestions on how to operate the ship to stay below maximum loads. In future, ships equipped with the system should gain permission to operate in higher than normal sea states."
The commercial potential of MONITUS is huge. From ferry lines to coastguard agencies, a decision support system will benefit ship operators everywhere. Feedback from the monitors may also contribute to future ship design.
Dogliani is already looking forward to another EUREKA project. "We're very happy with the support we've received through EUREKA, and hope to start another project, SAVENVSHIP, with the aim of making passenger ships more environmentally friendly."