Wave estimation and forecasting using ships as wave buoys

Measuring waves in the ocean helps enhance safety, inform coastal management decisions, refine weather forecasts, advance scientific understanding, and support the development of sustainable ocean-based industries for a greener future.

The project has three main objectives:
(1) Development of a collaborative method for simultaneous vessel model calibration and wave estimation using a ship as a wave buoy;
(2) Development of a model for regional wave monitoring by information fusion among a dense network of ships;
(3) Development of a method for network-informed wave forecasts for decision support systems used to guide ship and other marine operations.

Fusing data from multiple wave observation platforms enables reducing the uncertainties inherent to measurements from individual platforms. In this regard, the use of ships as sailing wave buoys shows high relevance, simply by accounting for the sheer number of ships in operation around the globe.

The project is financially supported by Orients Fond (case: SEAFUSION under the framework agreement ’Orients Fond 2021-2025’) and by Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond (grant ID: 10.46540/3164-00087B).

Overall, measuring ocean waves is crucial for ship safety, fuel consumption, coastal protection, offshore activities, and scientific research. These measurements help minimize risks, optimize resource utilization, and enhance our understanding of the ocean and its dynamics. Thus, wave measurement is an important element in comprehending climate change and can contribute to the green transition within various marine-related industries.

In practice, waves are typically estimated using a buoy, where the buoy’s translational and angular movements resulting from waves form the basis for the estimate. By analogy, it is possible to use measured wave-induced motions of a ship to estimate waves. Considering the large number of ships sailing and operating on the seas, there is significant potential in allowing ships to function as mobile wave sensors.

This project has three main objectives:
(1) Developing a method for simultaneous determination of a ship’s dynamics and the local wave system solely based on motion measurements taken on the ship;
(2) Creating a model for regional wave monitoring by merging data from a network of ships;
(3) Developing a method for network-informed wave forecasts to support decision-making systems aimed at guiding ship operations and other marine systems.