A METHOD FOR SELECTING FIN STABILIZATION SYSTEMS AS DEVELOPED FOR THE TUSTUMENA REPLACEMENT VESSEL

摘要

This paper presents a cost-based methodology for selecting a fin stabilization system, developed during the design of a 100-meter Ro-Pax ferry for service in the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. Glosten used established fin-sizing methods to identify several retractable fin stabilization systems that met the client’s requirements for ship motions. Glosten then developed a life-cycle cost model to select the most economical fin from these functionally equivalent options. Energy cost, dominated by fin drag at low angles of attack, ranged from 60 to 85 percent of the total life-cycle cost of the fins considered. This finding suggests that selection processes for fin stabilization systems should contain two subtasks: first to size the system, and then to select the most fuel-efficient system from the available options. Using a parametric cost model augmented by a CFD study, the authors concluded that the cost-optimal fin for this particular ferry was a flapped fin that folds forward to close.