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  OCTOPUS-Onboard Seakeeping Decision Support System
 
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OCTOPUS-Onboard Seakeeping Decision Support System



OCTOPUS-Onboard - Introduction

OCTOPUS-Onboard is a state-of-the-art, versatile, proven and highly advanced modular Seakeeping Decision Support System.

The system, made by Amarcon, is designed to assist navigators with safe sea-keeping of vessels of any type, any size and in all sea and weather conditions. Since its introduction in 2003 it has proven its value as an operational support tool for container vessels, bulk-carriers, VLCC's, LNG-carriers, RoRo vessels, ferries, Heavy Lift vessels, dredgers, Offshore Construction and Support Vessels, cruise ships, navy vessels and others. OCTOPUS can be configured and customized as per user requirements.

World-leading shipping companies, such as BW Gas, CMA-CMG, Dockwise, Hapag-Lloyd, Hoegh LNG, Jumbo Shipping, NYK, Smit, SRV, Teekay and others are using OCTOPUS to facilitate safe, economic and environmental friendly navigation.




OCTOPUS-Onboard - What is it?

OCTOPUS-Onboard, part of the OCTOPUS suite of solutions, is a modular, scalable, MS Windows based, intelligent software system, which is supplied pre-installed on a dedicated shipborne PC. The OCTOPUS-Onboard central processing unit collects information about the vessel's loading conditions, hydrodynamic properties, speed, scheduled route and waves and converts this information in sea-keeping performance, in other words ship responses, of the vessel. The results are used for logging, monitoring, planning, warning and decision making support.

The software consists of several standard and optional modules. The core module uses manual inputs to display and log visual observations, basic mass characteristics, hydrodynamic properties and Resonance Diagrams of the vessel. Additional modules are available for interfacing of the ships loading computer (manual or automatic) for loading data, navigation systems for navigation data (speed, course and position), and wave radar or buoy and/or weather forecast services for environmental data (weather/wave height/sea-state). A Response Module monitors, displays and forecasts ship's wave responses, using the 2D Strip Theory or 3D Boundary Element Method to calculate RAOs. These are compared with criteria derived from design values and safety or comfort margins to calculate statistics and probabilities of maximum allowable response levels. The resulting advice enables optimization of ship's responses.

The system is standard interfaced to the vessels Gyro, GPS, Loading Computer, Motion Sensor(s) and SatCom system. Optional interfacing includes connections to OCTOPUS-TMS, navigation Radar, wave Radar, wave Buoys, weather forecasting/routing, Hull-stress Sensors, fuel sensors and propulsion sensors. Optional extension modules include OCTOPUS-Performance, OCTOPUS-DP, OCTOPUS-Fatigue and OCTOPUS-Monitas to respectively assist in fuel consumption optimization, dynamic positioning capability forecasting, structural fatigue life/damage and life time extension decision making.

A full OCTOPUS-Onboard configuration provides a consistent and real-time picture of the sea-keeping performance of the vessel and can forecast and predict how to maintain or improve the situation by changing course and/or speed.




OCTOPUS-Onboard - What does it do?

Depending on actual configuration and interfacing, OCTOPUS-Onboard can perform any or all of the following functions:

OCTOPUS-Onboard as a Decision Support System

In simulation mode, using wave forecasts and/or visual observations, changes in ship's course, speed and/or loading conditions can be applied for OCTOPUS to identify effective countermeasures to avoid potential hazards such as slamming and parametric roll.

OCTOPUS-Onboard as a Monitoring System

OCTOPUS collects, logs and displays information on environmental conditions (waves and wave forecasts), loading conditions, navigation data and measured responses (motions, accelerations and stresses) and compares these values and forecasts with configured maximum allowable response levels.

OCTOPUS-Onboard as Forecast System

OCTOPUS combines information on the actual draft from the loading computer with detailed, draft depending, ship behavior information of the ship-specific hydrodynamic database to predict sea-keeping performance.

OCTOPUS-Onboard as a Routing System

OCTOPUS calculates and displays response-based optimal routes by combining weather forecasts with expected ship motions, performance and fuel consumption. Works optimally in combination with weather routing software such as SPOS to forecast weather and waves. Routes can be selected based upon computation criteria such as fuel consumption, ship motions, slamming, Motion Sickness Index (MSI) or hull stress loads.

OCTOPUS-Onboard as a Weather Surveillance System

Using configurable parameters, OCTOPUS calculates and displays weather windows on a time-scale to anticipate working conditions and periods that work can be performed at sea under favorable conditions. Of particular use on board Offshore Vessels.

OCTOPUS-Onboard as a Fuel Cost Optimization Monitoring System

OCTOPUS monitors, logs and displays engine RPM, vessel speed and fuel consumption rate per hour to provide insight in the actual fuel expenditure at current speed and weather conditions.

OCTOPUS-Onboard as a Fatigue Measurement System

Using acceleration and stress measurements, OCTOPUS can calculate current and accumulated fatigue damage (life time consumption) to give insight in service life expectations of the vessel.

OCTOPUS-Onboard as a Dynamic Positioning Capability Monitoring System

OCTOPUS can predict and display whether the vessel will remain operational in the selected DP mode.

The Octopus-Onboard system does not control the vessel in any of the above functions. The ships Master and Officer On Watch (OOW) remain in control of and responsible for vessel sea-keeping at all times. The system contributes significantly by facilitating informed decision making in terms of safety of navigation, route planning and damage avoidance. All of the above functionality is available through a highly advanced, easy to use, logical and ergonomically designed Graphical User Interface, developed in cooperation with OCTOPUS-Onboard users. Further details on this can be found in the "Extended Information" section.



OCTOPUS-Onboard - How does it help?

The OCTOPUS-Onboard system can help navigators on board of all types of vessels with all aspects of vessel sea-keeping decision making. Commonly the following phenomena are of particular interest to navigators.

Resonance Avoidance

OCTOPUS-Onboard can display resonance zones and responses as a function of speed and heading. This includes a resonance diagram indicating resonance areas such as surfing/broaching, parametric roll, synchronic roll and high wave groups. Separate alarm indicators display their risk and alarm status, including details on parametric roll. In monitoring mode the Officer On Watch can monitor the vessels sea-keeping behavior in this respect. Switching to simulation mode enables him to investigate different course/speed scenarios to avoid or improve a dangerous situation.



Environment Situational Awareness

OCTOPUS-Onboard displays when applicable the directions of sea, swell, wind and current in the resonance diagram by colored vectors. This contributes to an increased situational awareness of the navigator.



Vessel Response Monitoring

The OCTOPUS-Onboard system can display detailed information on vessel responses, such as roll motion, pitch motion, slamming etc. Traffic light color coding is used to alert the navigator to measured responses which exceed the maximum allowable response value.


Fuel Consumption Monitoring

The OCTOPUS-Onboard system graphically displays the immediate relationship between RPM, Speed and Fuel Consumption. In addition it can display grams of CO2 generated per nautical mile per cargo unit. This information can contribute to fuel efficiency and environmental friendly operations of the vessel.




Weather Window Planning & Monitoring

The weather windows functionality of OCTOPUS-Onboard enables the vessel operator to plan and monitor the maximum attainable workable period for the vessel, based upon user configurable parameters. It indicates the expected response levels for the time period planned, using color coding to indicate measured/calculated percentage of allowed response levels. This is especially of interest to Offshore Vessels.

 

Dynamic Positioning Capability Monitoring

When configured, this functionality monitors the ability of a DP equipped vessel to maintain its position and heading in relation to forecasted wind and wave predictions.



The above are just some examples of the many advantages OCTOPUS-Onboard can offer assisting navigators of various types of vessels. In addition the system can assist with:
  • Slamming Warnings and Parametric Roll Warnings, particularly of interest to Container Vessels.
  • Sloshing Warnings, particularly of interest to LNG Carriers.
  • Cargo Shift Prevention Warnings, of interest to Bulk Carriers and Tankers.
  • Crane Tip Monitoring, of interest to Heavy Lift Vessels.
  • Cargo Acceleration Monitoring and Weather Dependent Lashing, for RoRo Vessels and Ferries.
  • Passenger Comfort Monitoring, of interest to Cruise Ships.

OCTOPUS-Onboard In Summary

OCTOPUS-Onboard is a powerful tool for sea-keeping performance monitoring and decision making. When used in combination with OCTOPUS-Online and OCTOPUS-Office, it enables shore-based staff to assist with vessel operational planning and monitoring. The OCTOPUS suite of solutions is state-of-the-art and providing an end-to-end solution for any type of vessel.

If reading the above has aroused your interest and you are a ship owner/operator keen on increasing the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of your vessel and/or fleet, feel free to contact Lambda Marine for a free demonstration at your office.



Lambda Marine, a system integrator and solution provider, represents the Amarcon OCTOPUS suite of solutions for the Middle East.
Features & Benefits
  • Functional fusion of measurements and forecasts for optimum operational decision making in heavy weather, avoidance of parametric roll, slamming, sloshing, cargo shift and others.
  • Real-time insight in the impact of weather conditions on the ship's stability, safety, workability and fuel consumption.
  • Satisfies IMO and Classification's requirements for resonance avoidance and avoidance of dangerous situations in adverse weather and sea conditions (MSC.1/Circ.1228).
  • Easy to use, ergonomic and intuitive Graphical User Interface, with layered consistent presentation of information in self-explaining displays and menus.
  • Fuel optimization through fuel-saving RPM advice, including accurate and scenario-based ETA calculations and predictions.
  • Route planning functionality and weather windows indicator with up- and down time warning.
  • Independent simulation and monitoring modes to assist the OOW with optimum decision making.
  • Alarm management, self-diagnostics and On-line connectivity functionality.
  • Modular and scalable from stand-alone PC to integrated network configurations.
  • Long track record in different maritime industries.

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