KEYWORDS: Biofouling, Ships, Model basin, Computer Simulation, Surface roughness, LIBS
Marine biofouling refers to the undesirable growth and adhesion of marine organisms such as barnacles,
macro-algae, microbial slimes etc. on immersed structures. Tropical ocean environment teems with
microorganisms, of which some adhere, both to the static ship hull and while en-route to the destination
increasing roughness. A typical voyage analysis takes into account parameters like ship speed, power,
propeller speed, displacement, fouling and weather conditions. The loads due to wind and waves were
calculated for the ship with a fouled hull heading in its design speed. The simulated results also have
been validated by towing tank experiments, for various speeds corresponding to various fouling
conditions and different drafts. The additional power requirement was determined for various loading
conditions and speed ranges. A laboratory-scale LIBS technique was used to analyse biofouling samples
and its constituent common water-borne algae and bacterial species. Biofouling composition was
determined by collecting samples from marine structures and vessels and analyzing them in
laboratories. The study showed that the LIBS technique combined with the Principal Component
Analysis (PCA) could be used for acquiring the spectra of biofouling species, its rapid classification
and studying the growth characteristics.