Miscellaneous Musings from the Technical Director
Here’s my contention:
onboard speed-power management (SPM) systems are nothing more than a “feel-good” solution for a problem that doesn’t exist.
OK, now that I have that out of the way, let me fill in some details…
A problem that doesn’t exist?
What is a problem? Dictionaries define it as “a question proposed for solution or discussion” (www.dictionary.com). I submit that what may be a “problem” to one is not necessarily a “problem” to another. Likewise a “solution” to one is not necessarily a “solution” to another. I believe that any solution to a problem requires commitment by those responsible to implement the solution. A tool that is unused or misused is nothing more than a “feel good” solution.
Technically, there is real opportunity for fuel reduction using SPM systems. We even wrote a technical paper about this some 10 years ago [MacPherson 1999], and we were a core partner in the development of a such a system for the U.S. Coast Guard R&D Center [Macesker 1999]. So, I do not mean that there is not a legitimate technical opportunity for SPM systems to be used in a valuable, productive way. I simply mean that there often is a disconnect between those that specify and purchase these systems, and those that are responsible to operate them.
What evidence do I have?
Let me offer two pieces of evidence – direct experience and indirect conclusion.
In our personal experience with development of the USCG system, we found a real hurdle to implementation of the SPM system in the “culture” of the ship drivers. They were personally responsible for a highly valuable asset and they took pride in a personal interaction with the control of the ship. They did not trust that a “black box” computer-based system could do what had taken them many years to learn. I personally have to honor this position – in spite of my understanding of the how SPM systems can monitor performance in a way that cannot be done by human staff. So, if the helmsman and skippers do not trust and implement the system, then there is no real solution and therefore no real problem to solve.
Indirectly, let me just point to two recent episodes in Alaska where cruise ships were believed to have traveled some distance with a whale stuck to their bow. In 2006, the Celebrity Summit arrived in port carrying a dead humpback whale, and just last week, the Sapphire Princess arrived with a dead fin whale. To my knowledge, both were outfitted with SPM systems. So what conclusion can be drawn from this? Assuming that a whale on the bow doesn’t improve the drag of a ship, one would have to believe that the speed loss or additional required power would be noticed by someone or something (the SPM system). Did the SPM systems register the change in performance? Don’t know, weren’t there – but there should have been some pick up of a drag increase of this magnitude. Was the speed low enough so that this added drag was not noticeable? Perhaps, but then the SPM system is really not needed. Was it noticed and ignored? We can’t know, but it doesn’t matter – the change in performance was not significant enough to demand some action or response.
SPM systems might make management “feel good” but we would have to question if, due to no fault of the system itself, they were useful in functionally identifying performance issues that resulted in a responsive action. If the culture onboard has a skepticism that prohibits its effective use, what’s the point of having it? Likewise, if a whale doesn’t get your attention, can we honestly say that SPM systems are effectively integrated into the ship’s operation?
SPM systems are technically valid ways to reduce fuel rate and improve ship operation. But, they are just a “feel good” opportunity for “green marketing” if not properly employed.
References
Macesker, B., et al, “Evaluation/Validation of an Electronic Engine Speed Pilot on the USCGC TAMPA (WMEC 902)”, U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center, Report CG-D-04-99, 1999.
MacPherson, D.M., “The Implications of Adaptive Speed Management (ASM) for Fast Ferries”, 15th Fast Ferry International Conference, Boston, 1999
Filed under: Hydrodynamics, Software
