Leeway of an Open Boat and Three Life Rafts in Heavy Weather

摘要

A field test of the leeway of three search and rescue (SAR) craft was conductedduring November-December 1995 by the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center and the Canadian Coast Guard. The experiment was conducted on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. The SAR craft included a 5.5 meter wooden-planked open boat common to the Newfoundland area and two versions of the Switlik 6-person marine life raft. In addition, leeway data for a Dunlop-Beaufort 4-person life raft collected during a prevous experiment were reanalyzed. During the course of the drift period, all leeway craft swamped or capsized. This report summarizes