EM 1110-2-1100 (Part II)
30 Apr 02
Figure II-7-43. Vessel sinkage prediction
(f) Design of safe channel depths is a function of the loaded draft of the ship, vessel sinkage, minimum
underkeel clearance, and effect of pitch and roll in outer channels exposed to wave and current conditions
(Herbich 1992).
(g) A self-propelled vessel cannot exceed the critical speed (see Constantine (1960)). However, a vessel
can be towed faster than the critical speed, the result being the generation of a bore wave that propagates
ahead of the vessel. Before reaching the critical speed, the vessel sinkage increases rapidly. If the initial
vessel under-keel clearance is small, the vessel may hit bottom before coming close to the critical speed. Also,
near the critical speed, there is a sharp increase in the power required to propel the vessel.
Harbor Hydrodynamics
II-7-61
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