Improving fishing vessel stability assessment using cost-effective computing technologies

Abstract

Fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United Kingdom (UK). This work’s contribution to knowledge lies in the novel application of cost-effective, off-the-shelf single-board computers (SBCs) coupled with inertial measurement units (IMUs) to the stability assessment of small fishing vessels. This thesis aims to demonstrate how readings from low-cost, off-the-shelf SBCs and IMUs can be used in a roll period test and an inclining test to accurately determine a vessel’s roll period and metacentric height respectively. The results show that cheap SBCs coupled with IMUs can be used to accurately determine a vessel’s roll period with an uncertainty of less than 0.1. The cost-effective technologies also provide additional information on roll amplitude that is not available if only a stopwatch is used in the roll period test. When it comes to the ability of the cost-effective technologies to determine changes to a vessel’s stability in waves as weights are moved vertically onboard, the results show that the cost-effective technologies do not detect changes in the vessel’s roll period but rather record the encounter period of the vessel with the waves in its operating conditions. This is to within 0.02 seconds when compared to results from the potentiometer. Even though no changes in roll period due to weight movements were detected, increases in roll amplitude were detected as the heights of the weights increased. In regards to using cost-effective technologies in inclining tests to determine a vessel’s metacentric height, the results show that the cost effective technologies accurately detect the heel angle due to weight shifts. The metacentric height obtained is further validated by comparing the roll period obtained by a roll period test of the vessel and the roll period calculated using the calculated GM. Finally, measurements from the cost-effective technologies compared with measurements from a state-of-the-art optical motion capture system and a more expensive industrial IMU confirm the potential of the cost effective technologies in aiding the assessment of fishing vessel stability. Accurate knowledge of a vessel’s roll period and metacentric height is critical to vessel stability and safety. It is hoped that this thesis informs the fishing industry of how cost-effective technologies can be used to assess vessel stability to provide information on roll period and metacentric height.

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