Seamaster
The purpose of the SEAMASTER program is to provide a rapid and accurate check on the stability and strength of the vessel, comparing this with the criteria laid down by the appropriate regulatory bodies.
Additional modules
Additional modules are seamlessly integrated depending on the type of ship and the options supplied:
- SEACOC is a cargo operation control option which simulates any proposed loading/ballast sequence and reports automatically on the stability and strength at all intermediate stages
- the SEAFLOOD module allows you to immediately assess the effect of flooding any combination of compartments
- the SEADAM module allows you to investigate the stresses in the hull, damaged or intact, including the effect of wave loading and also the consequences of grounding
- the COMLASH module checks all container and lashing forces:
- the C-PLAN module is a stowage planning tool which stores container details in a database, automatically stows containers, and allows the rapid assessment of loading options
- the T-PLAN module is for planning the loading of tankers to be partially discharged at a number of ports and also generates Tanker Forms in accordance with commercial practice.
Features
The principal features and operations of SEAMASTER include the access of previous loading conditions, the entry of dwt (with the trim, stability and strength summary continuously updated and shown), display and printout of detailed stability and strength results, comparison between the calculated condition and that required (or observed from a draft survey), and the saving of each load condition as a file on the fixed disk for future reference.
Gravity
The centres of gravity and FSM of each tank is recalculated whenever a change is made, by interpolating the tank calibration data. The sign convention adopted is positive forward from the AP or midship, positive starboard from the centre-line, and positive up from the bottom of the keel. Positive trim means an increased draft at the stern. Positive shear force means an excess of weight over buoyancy aft of the point in question, while positive bending moment means hogging, ie a tendency for the hull to deflect down at the ends.
Drafts
The drafts given by the computer are normally those at the forward perpendicular, aft perpendicular, and amidships (mean of FP and AP). However, there is an option to display the drafts at the positions of the ship's draft marks. The calculated drafts can take into account any hogging or sagging deflection of the hull, if requested by the user.
Operation
After starting up and entering references etc, the main operation consists of entering deadweight which is displayed in groups of similar items, WATER BALLAST, FRESH WATER, LUBRICATING OIL, FUEL OIL etc. If tank level gauges are fitted, SEAMASTER will interface and record this data, but in any case can be manually over-written. The method of entry is the same for all the tank groups, with variations where appropriate, for example to allow for the special temperature/density requirements of cargo oil. Dry bulk cargo is treated similarly, allowing for grain shift moments if relevant. There is a further group called USER-DEFINED DWT which allows miscellaneous items to be added in the style of a spread-sheet with the freedom to alter centres of gravity as well as weight. In some ships, there is also a BREAK BULK / DECK CARGO group which allows both graphical and tabular input of cargo packets of any size anywhere on the ship. Containers are handled in a similar way to break bulk cargo, allowing data entry in a tabular list, either individually or in blocks. Container data can also be entered by reading a bay-plan file in any recognised format supplied by shore-side stowage planners.
Seamaster allows the software user to calculate the intact stability and longitudinal strength of the vessel. The software instantaneously updates the strength and stability of the vessel as the deadweight is changed.
Bulk carrier
For example the SEAMASTER software for a bulk carrier includes grain loading options (if required), timber loading (if required), break-bulk loading (if required) etc.
Click image for a detailed view
Draft survey
Water Ballast
