SEA TRIALS:A sea trial is the testing phase of a watercraft (including, boats, ships, and submarines).

It is also referred to as a "shakedown cruise" by many naval personnel. It is usually the last phase of construction and takes place on open water, and it can last from a few hours to many days. Sea trials are conducted to measure a vessel s performance and general seaworthiness. !esting of a vessel s speed, maneuverability, e"uipment safety features . #sually in attendance are technical representatives from the builder, governing and certification officials, and representatives of the owners. Successful sea trials subse"uently lead to a vessel s certification for commissioning and acceptance by its owner. Although sea trials are commonly thought to be conducted only on new$built vessels (referred by shipbuilders as %builders trials%), they are regularly conducted on commissioned vessels as well. In new vessels, they are used to determine conformance to construction specifications. &n commissioned vessels, they are generally used to confirm the impact of any modifications. Sea trials can also refer to a short test trip undertaken by a prospective buyer of a new or used vessel as one determining factor in whether to purchase the vessel. Two methods can be used: ') Scale model tests or computer predictions using mathematical models at the design stage ( full scale trials must be conducted to validate these results. )) *ull scale trials. Test speed = at least 90% of full speed = 8 % of full en!"ne powe# The standa#ds appl$ to: All ships of '++m in length and over All chemical tankers and gas carriers The$ cons"st of: ') !urning circles to ,ort and starboard )) Stopping !est -) .ig$.ag !est %ond"t"ons at wh"ch the standa#ds appl$ In order to evaluate the performance of a ship, manoeuvring trials should be conducted to both port and starboard and at conditions specified below/

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deep, unrestricted water (0 12mean draft) calm environment (3ind4 56ft ( Sea4 1) full load (summer load line draught), even keel condition steady approach at the test speed(min7+8 full). full)

T$p"cal t#"als &' Speed t#"al: !he vessel is ballasted or loaded to a predetermined draft and the propulsion machinery is set to the contracted ma2imum service setting, usually some percentage of the machinery%s ma2imum continuous rating. (e2/ 7+8 9:;) !he ship%s heading is ad<usted to have the wind and tide as close to bow$on as possible. !he vessel is allowed to come to speed and the speed is continuously recorded using differential =,S. !he ship is then turned through '>+? and the procedure is followed again. !his reduces the impact of wind and tide. !he final "!rials Speed" is determined by averaging all of the measured speeds during each of the runs. !his process may be repeated in various sea states. ('%#ash stop: !he vessel is ballasted or loaded to a predetermined draft and the propulsion machinery is set to the contracted ma2imum service setting, usually some percentage of the machinery%s ma2imum continuous rating. !he trial begins once the order to "@2ecute :rash Stop" is given. At this point the propulsion machinery is set to full$astern and the helm is put hard$over to either port or starboard. !he speed, position and heading are continuously recorded using differential =,S. !he final time to stop (i.e./ ship speed is + knots) track line, drift (distance traveled perpendicular to the original course) and advance (distance traveled along the original course line) are all calculated. !he trial may be repeated at various starting speeds. )'Endu#ance: !he vessel is ballasted or loaded to a predetermined draft and the propulsion machinery is set to the contracted ma2imum service setting, usually some percentage of the machinery%s ma2imum continuous rating. !he fuel flow, e2haust and cooling water temperatures and ship%s speed are all recorded. *'+aneu,e#"n! t#"als: A number of trials to determine the maneuverability and directional stability of the ship may be conducted. !hese include a direct and reverse spiral manoeuvres, Aig$Aag, and lateral thruster use. 'Sea-eep"n!: 3as used e2clusively for passenger ships but now used in a variety of vessels. Involves measurements of ship motions in various sea states followed by a series of analyses to determine comfort levels, likelihood of sea sickness and hull damage. !rials are usually protracted in nature due to the unpredictability of finding the correct sea state and the need to conduct the trials at various headings and speeds.

Sea trials are conducted under the following circumstances/$

.el",e#$ of newbu"ld"n!s /%ont#actual T#"als': Speed$power (compliance with contracted performance) 6ollard ,ull test (tugs and offshore vessels compliance with contracted performance) 9aneuvering (compliance with I9& criteria) Sea keeping (only high speed craft)

If a spec"al p#oblem has a#"sen0 fo# "nstance: ,ropeller noise and(or erosio Steering problems @2cessive fuel consumption

Test"n! Re1u"#ements:Stopp"n! Normal stop from max speed to zero Emergency stop Crash stop
Cruise performance in two sea states

Normal conditions Worst intended conditions Measurements of accelerations, speed, relative wave heading

Failure tests
Check that the ship, crew and passengers are not at risk if for instance the steering fails