ISSUES IN THE HANDLING OF A MULTI-MASTED SAILING VESSEL IN VARIOUS HYDRO-METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Navigation under sail has been known to people for at least a thousand years, having evolved with the advance of mankind, where the quest has always been towards shortening sailing time by optimal routing and pursuing top speed. With the development of computer technologies and automation in shipping, the art of conning a sailing craft has been transformed and enhanced to a new level. Great consideration is now given to the protection of the marine environment and the atmosphere from the ever-increasing carbon emissions, which has resulted in the rediscovery of wind-powered navigation. It is worth noting that the global demand for and purchases of medium and large sailing boats and motor yachts with sails have plummeted over the last 10 - 15 years. The effect of wind and seas on sailing ships operation is disproportionately greater compared to motor-driven vessels.

For the purposes of safe navigation sailing crews must closely observe the parameters of sailing vessels’ movement, hydro-meteorological conditions and navigational aids’ operation. They provide essential information of the ship's position, course, heel angle and rudder angle, distance made good, the elements of the hydro-meteorological conditions as well as forthcoming weather forecast, etc. Present-day sailing relies on these parameters for the normal operation of the various automatic systems used in the handling of sailing vessels.

A universal automatic system has not yet been developed that would incorporate all factors at play in the safety of sailing in such a dynamic environment. The modelling of such a system will ensure the safe and optimal movement of multi-masted sailing vessels, regardless of the hydro-meteorological conditions in the navigation area.