Analogical Manoeuvring Simulator with Remote Pilot Control for Port Design and Operation Improvement

The use of an Analogical Simulator in shiphandling-manoeuvre tests (SIAMA) in waterways constitutes a useful tool for providing improvements in port design and manoeuvring rules, which, when en-hanced with other relevant hydraulic studies of Froudian scale models, is a source of valuable statistical in-formation. The time-scale of physical models fast-time runs complie with the square root of the linear scale, in this study-case the model time was 13.04 times faster than prototype. More than 1500 official tests having been undertaken since 1993 by 13 official pilots of three harbours, for manoeuvring and project optimization in 7 piers, with 10 berths, and radio-controlled ore carriers of 75,000, 152,000, 276,000 365,000, 400,000 and 615,000 dwt. The laboratory facilities belong to the Escola Politécnica of Sao Paulo University, Brazil. The port area studied comprised fairways, turning basins and berths. The ships and tugs were unmanned, with tug performance exerted by air fans.