As the Cruise Industry continues to evolve, striving for a smoother and more comfortable cruise experience has led to the development of newer and better technologies. Among these advancements, modern-day cruise ship stabilizers have emerged as a pivotal component in maintaining stability and reducing passengers’ discomfort from motion sickness.
Tracing The Evolution
Cruise ships became famous as a mode of transportation for people who wanted to explore the world while also enjoying the comfort and luxury of a floating hotel. However, a journey in the open sea is unpredictable, and the ship’s movement causes discomfort and even sea sickness for some passengers.
Efforts to ensure ship stability have been made across centuries, with early sailors employing basic methods such as ballast and movable weights to counter the effects of the waves and wind forces. The modern concept of ship stabilization dates back to the 19th century, when steam-powered ships were heavier than their sailing counterparts, and it was hard to ignore the effect of wave loading and winds.
However, a challenge came when it was found that they required quite a bit of maintenance and were also expensive, which eventually phased out their adoption. Their usage has only gained a bit of interest again since the 1990s.
Initially, these efforts focused on passive systems, such as bilge keels and fin keels, designed to create drag and counteract the forces of the waves. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that active stabilization systems, such as the Roll Stabilizers, were worked into designs. The Roll Stabilizer is considered a significant breakthrough, allowing cruise ships to operate more efficiently and comfortably in rough seas.
Types of Cruise Ship Stabilizers
Ship instability can arise from many factors, including the natural forces of the wind and sea waves, the design of the hull form, and its load distribution. When encountering rough seas, two prominent motions, namely rolling and pitching motions, can cause discomfort. To solve these issues, current cruise ships require improved stabilizing systems.
- Active stabilizers: These systems use actuators to counteract the forces of the ship’s motion in the sea. The power used is external, while the control system, which may be hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic, responds (force) opposing the natural roll of the vessel. Active stabilizers are known to be highly effective and capable of reducing roll and pitch motions by up to 80%. Some of these are active anti-roll tanks and active stabilizer fins.
- Passive stabilizers: These systems do not require an external power source but rather use basic fluid mechanical principles to counteract the forces of the waves in the sea. These systems also do not require actuators and instead rely on the ship’s hull form and appendages to counteract the forces of the waves. Passive stabilizers may be less effective than active stabilisation systems but are less expensive to fit and maintain. These stabilizers commonly consist of bilge keels and passive anti-roll tanks.
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Source: MarineInsight
