Experimental investigation on stern-boat deployment system and operability for Korean coast guard ship

ABSTRACTThe stern boat deployment system was investigated to evaluate the capability of launching and recovering rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) via the stern ramp. The main parameters to launch and recover RHIB were tested at the design stage. The combined hydrodynamic effect of the stern wake and the water jet flow made it difficult to maintain the maneuvering and sea-keeping ability of RHIB approaching to the stern ramp. The safe recovery course was proposed to maintain the directional control of RHIB and to reduce the combined hydrodynamic effect in the transom zone. To evaluate the feasibility of RHIB recovery, the stern sill depth was measured in various conditions and the ramp availability time was obtained. Also, the experimental percent time operability (PTO) test was performed by the number of successive launching and recovering operations.