Dynamic trimming or dynamic trim optimization is an automated process used to control the trim of a large ship. The trim of a ship is the height difference between the

draft Draft, the draft, or draught may refer to: Watercraft dimensions * Draft (hull), the distance from waterline to keel of a vessel * Draft (sail), degree of curvature in a sail * Air draft, distance from waterline to the highest point on a v ...

of its hull. It represents the angle at which the ship is floating, relative to a designated water line. This angle is optimized using

ballast Ballast is dense material used as a weight to provide stability to a vehicle or structure. Ballast, other than cargo, may be placed in a vehicle, often a ship or the gondola of a balloon or airship, to provide stability. A compartment within ...

to achieve minimum water resistance and reduce fuel consumption. A dynamic trimming system operates continually on seagoing vessels, and uses multidimensional analysis of

real-time data Real-time data (RTD) is information that is delivered immediately after collection. There is no delay in the timeliness of the information provided. Real-time data is often used for navigation or tracking. Such data is usually data processing, proc ...

on vessel attitude collected automatically from

sensor network Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) refer to networks of spatially dispersed and dedicated sensors that monitor and record the physical conditions of the environment and forward the collected data to a central location. WSNs can measure environmental ...

s. The system continuously calculates the key forces affecting the vessel attitude. The key metrics are graphically displayed in specialized software to facilitate decision-making. The system helps officers ensure that their vessels are operated efficiently.

References

{{water-transport-stub Sailing Vehicle technology Transport software