Prediction methods for team akzonobel in the volvo ocean race and wind assisted ship propulsion for merchant vessels

MARIN, team AkzoNobel and STEAM Ocean initiated the “W!ND” Joint Industry project with other partners to provide speed predictions and advice on boat set-up and routing for their participation in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-2018. This was done also to develop tools and knowledge supporting Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion on merchant vessels. The project included calculations for the hydrodynamic forces in calm water. However, the main advancements beyond state of the art were made in unique model tests with a free sailing model, including sail forces in waves. The tests served to validate PANSHIP calculation for which the intention was to then run it for a very large range of conditions. The hydrodynamic forces as obtained from calculations and tests were combined with sail forces in a VPP by partner Giorgio Provinciali.