Study of maneuverability and behavior in the sea of the Light Cabotage and Logistics Support Vessel (BALC-L)

Abstract

Colombia's hydrographic wealth is of great importance for the development of the economic sectors throughout the country, and together with neighboring countries such as Peru and Brazil, different needs arising from the difficult access to their more remote populations are shared. This is why, humanitarian missions are carried out through the ships of the Colombian Navy (ARC), which are at the service of the most remote civilian populations, providing, for example, response to disaster situations or covering logistics support. However, in the framework of these operations, problems have arisen due to the absence of having adequate vessels for navigation in shallow waters. To combat the problem, the ARC and the Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (MINCIENCIAS) have designated resources for Science and Technology Corporation for Naval, Maritime and Riverine Industry Development (COTECMAR) and Colombian Naval Academy (ENAP) to carry out research for the design of a new prototype vessel called BALC-L (Light Boat Logistic Support Vessel) that will meet the needs of logistics and disaster response. This paper focuses on studying and analyzing the behavior of the BALC-L ship in shallow waters, coastal areas and deep-water operations by means of numerical simulation, in order to know its movements and operational limitations under these conditions. This research presents a theoretical introduction, numerical simulation results and the validation of the data obtained from maneuverability and behavior at sea.