Effects of coating roughness and biofouling on ship resistance and powering

TLDR

The estimates are based on laboratory‑scale drag measurements and boundary‑layer similarity law analysis. The study predicts full‑scale ship resistance and powering for antifouling coatings across a range of roughness and fouling conditions. The predictions focus on a mid‑sized naval surface combatant at cruising and near‑maximum speeds. Slime films significantly increase resistance and powering, with heavy calcareous fouling causing up to 86 % powering penalties at cruising speed, and the estimates agree well with full‑scale ship power trials.

Abstract

Predictions of full-scale ship resistance and powering are made for antifouling coating systems with a range of roughness and fouling conditions. The estimates are based on results from laboratory-scale drag measurements and boundary layer similarity law analysis. In the present work, predictions are made for a mid-sized naval surface combatant at cruising speed and near maximum speed. The results indicate that slime films can lead to significant increases in resistance and powering, and heavy calcareous fouling results in powering penalties up to 86% at cruising speed. The present estimates show good agreement with results from full-scale ship power trials.