Correction of wave surge forces to improve surf-riding/broaching vulnerability criterion check accuracy

Surf-riding/broaching is one of the five stability failure modes to be included into the International Maritime Organization (IMO) second generation intact stability criteria (which are risk-based stability criteria) that can ensure the safety of ships in actual seaways more effectively. This study focuses on the influence of wave surge force prediction accuracy on surf-riding/broaching vulnerability criterion check result. Firstly, it is demonstrated that the wave surge force prediction method adopted in the current vulnerability criterion check procedure is not accurate and may lead to wrong conclusions. The experimental data from captive model test and the numerical result based on 3D panel method both indicate that the diffraction effect must be considered to correctly predict the wave surge forces. Besides, sophisticated methods are not suitable for Level 2 vulnerability criterion check due to their complexity. Therefore, an empirical formula for wave surge force correction based on sample ship calculation results is proposed. The proposed empirical correction formula can effectively improve the vulnerability criterion check accuracy and thus contribute to the design and safety of the ships which are vulnerable to this stability failure mode.