Designs for high-speed planing craft are typically driven by performance on plane in operating sea conditions. These conditions govern the principal characteristics, installed power, structural design and design features related to seakeeping and handling. When these high-speed craft are operated for military, law enforcement or search and rescue missions, performance and safety in severe seas at low speed can become issues and should be considered during design. This paper discusses the issues related to operations in these survival conditions and provides examples of performance analyses related to: (1) stability and flooding; (2) capsize, broaching and control problems; (3) structural design; and (4) seakeeping motions and acceleration affects on crew, machinery and systems. For each of these aspects of performance, analysis methodologies are discussed and typical results are provided. Methods for comparing risks associated with operations in various sea conditions are developed and recommendations are formulated for definition of limiting conditions. Finally, areas where typical design practices are found to be deficient related to these survival operations are identified and discussed.

Keywords:
united states government, boat, north america government, public safety, high-speed craft design, evaluation, criteria, flooding, simulation, knot
Subjects:
Risk Management and Decision-Making, Information Management and Systems
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Copyright 2012, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
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