Dynamic Analysis and Injury Prediction for Small Craft Collisions

Six staged watercraft collisions were performed to assess the corresponding boat dynamics and boat operator kinematics. Each boat was operated remotely through a series of handheld radio transmitters capable of controlling steering, throttle, and a master kill switch. Triaxial accelerometers mounted to the deck of each boat provided sensor data that was measured and recorded using several MotionMaster EDR-6DOF recorders. Hybrid-II crash test dummies were placed in occupant positions, and their resulting kinematics recorded. The triaxial deck acceleration data was used as input to a lumped-mass human dynamics model (MADYMO) to understand occupant kinematics and potential for injury. Noted results include the presence of large vertical (z-axis) deck accelerations, and the low risk of head and neck injuries during the first phase of the collisions.