MARIN & Deltares Assist in Astute’s Safe Departure
A joint study by Deltares and MARIN guaranteed the safe departure of the first of Astute class submarine from the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness (UK). The ship has started on its first series of sea trials to show that it is the most advanced submarine of this kind ever to serve in the Royal Navy.
An extensive study was conducted to check whether the 15 km fairway from Ramsden Dock to the open sea – designed for the Vanguard class – could also accommodate this new class of submarine. For the manoeuvre, Deltares conducted extensive modelling and field measurements, looking at the tides, the currents and the waves in the area. MARIN carried out model tests to assess the manoeuvring properties of the submarine and how it moves in response to waves.
Based on the information about the vessel and the surroundings the channel passage was prepared in detail. The manoeuvre from the tidal dock to the open sea was studied at MARIN. The model was also used to train the pilots, the crew and the tug masters, with extensive attention being paid to emergency procedures. Deltares determined the maximum permissible wave conditions for a series of tidal conditions (high water levels) to make sure that the submarine would not touch the bottom.
Deltares and MARIN attended the departure of the submarine to help evaluate the predicted wave conditions and to gather the experience with the manoeuvre for subsequent vessels in this class. After the successful manoeuvre, Mr. Alastair Fryer of BAE, who is responsible for the passage of the Astute through the fairway, expressed his appreciation for the work done by MARIN and Deltares: “The work done at your respective companies was I believe, fundamental to the safe exit of the boat. It is another milestone in our co-operation which started with the Vanguard project in 1989.”