The nonlinear rolling response of a vessel including chaotic motions leading to capsize in regular seas

The rolling motion of a ship has been successfully modelled using a semi-empirical nonlinear differential equation by a number of researchers. Experimental data has been used to model nonlinear damping and righting lever characteristics and comparison with observed behaviour has been reasonably good. The present article describes a numerical, phenomenological approach to analyse this type of behaviour. The stability of the periodic motion, and in particular the possibility of capsize, is explored with reference to qualitative prediction techniques. The appearance of chaotic motions in regular beam seas is a new feature which should be of interest to designers. The inability of traditional quantitative methods, such as the perturbation technique, to detect chaos is a further justification for using numerical simulation guided by dynamical systems theory.