Fundamentals of Ship Seakeeping and Offshore Structure Dynamics

Designing safe and efficient marine vessels requires a deep understanding of how structures behave in unpredictable ocean environments. This text-based course introduces the core engineering principles behind ship seakeeping and the dynamic response of offshore platforms to waves. You will transition from basic fluid mechanics to analyzing complex wave-structure interactions, learning how to evaluate ship motions, assess stability, and apply modern criteria to ensure operational safety in diverse sea states. What you'll learn: - Understand the fundamental terminology of ocean waves, hydrostatics, and rigid-body dynamics in a marine context. - Analyze ship motions in six degrees of freedom, including heave, pitch, and roll. - Evaluate wave-induced forces and moments acting on floating and fixed offshore structures. - Apply standard seakeeping criteria to assess vessel habitability, survivability, and operational limits. - Explore modern wave spectrum models and basic environmental design standards used in marine engineering today. - Understand how digital twin concepts and sensor data are integrated to monitor real-time vessel response. The course begins with essential marine terminology and wave theory before progressing to hydrodynamic forces and practical motion analysis. You will read through detailed explanations, step-by-step mathematical formulations, and conceptual design scenarios. This course is designed for aspiring naval architects, marine engineers, offshore industry professionals, and students seeking a foundational understanding of ocean engineering without prior specialized experience. Begin your journey into marine hydrodynamics and master the essentials of ocean wave interaction.