The March meeting of the SNAME Chesapeake Section will be Thursday, March 18 2010, at 5:00 PM at the Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis, MD. The presentation will be on Personal Watercraft Steering, Braking, and Forensic Testing by Mr. Paul Kamen.

Please make reservations or cancellations by COB Thursday, March 11, via the online form or by email to snamecsmeetings@gmail.com. When making a reservation please indicate your membership status (see below), dinner selection, and whether or not you are a foreign national.

ABSTRACT:  Personal Watercraft Steering, Braking, and Forensic Testing
With an estimated 1.55 million personal watercraft (PWC)  in use, these vessels make up only 8.6% of the U.S. recreational fleet. Yet in 2005, PWC accidents accounted for 1,007 out of a total of 3,451 serious boating injuries (29.2%) and 44 of a total of 163 non-drowning fatalities (27.0%). Hazard level per hour of operation is even more striking: A 2007 study by the California Dept. of Boating and Waterways found that for every hour of operation, a PWC is 24 times more likely to be involved in a serious accident than a canoe or kayak.

While cultural and lifestyle issues associated with PWC ownership may be a factor, there is also considerable evidence that certain design characteristics may contribute to the relatively high accident and fatality count. This paper explores two important elements of PWC control: off-throttle steering and emergency stopping.

Off-throttle steering refers to the absence of steering control when there is no thrust from the waterjet propulsor. A common accident scenario involves sudden release of the throttle control when a hazard appears or is first noticed, followed by an unsuccessful attempt to turn out of the way. Most PWCs also lack effective reversing buckets, in contrast to waterjet propulsion applications for conventional boats.

Although manufacturers have addressed these problems in various ways, considerable debate remains over the effectiveness of their efforts. The debate extends to the role of various testing and advisory organizations in setting standards which may or may not be adequate. Specifically, we evaluate the SAE and UL test protocols, and compare to real and theoretically achievable maneuvering performance. We also suggest techniques that my be useful to the forensic naval architect in reconstructing PWC collisions.

SPEAKER BIO:  Mr. Paul Kamen, Naval Architect, P.E.
Paul Kamen is an independent naval architect specializing in small craft accident reconstruction, surface-piercing propulsion and urban ferry system design. He holds a B.S. in naval architecture and marine engineering from Webb Institute of Naval Architecture (1973) and an M. Eng. In Naval Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley (1979).

Every month since 1980 he has published a pseudonymous column on the technology and politics of sailing and small craft in San Francisco Bay's regional sailing magazine Latitude 38. Paul serves on the Berkeley Waterfront Commission, the US Sailing District Appeals Committee, and on the Boards of the San Francisco Bay Yacht Racing Association and the Berkeley Racing Canoe Center. He is a certified US Sailing racing rules judge.

AGENDA:

5:00 PM – check in, meet and greet

5:30 PM – dinner service followed by presentation

DINNER SELECTION:
Potato, Bacon and Onion Soup
Choice of Pork Roast with Apple and Onion Chutney or Salmon with Citrus Beurre Blanc Sauce
Side of Risotto with Mushrooms and Spinach
Dessert, Soda, and Water Included

LOCATION:
Severn Sailing Association Clubhouse
311 First Street
Annapolis, MD 21403

Please help to announce this meeting by passing it around your office email list or posting the flyer on a bulletin board.

Thank you! 

The SD-8 Panel is holding an all-day techincal seminar/workshop on Reducing Total Ownership Costs by Improving the Naval Ship Design Process.
Friday, March 26
Time: 8am-4pm
U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis, MD
Please contact Fidel Sanchez, fidel.sanchez@jhuapl.edu for more information and to reserve your spot. We are limited to 50 participants for this workshop so first come first served. We will also have a waiting list. More details regarding logistics at USNA will come out as we get closer to the workshop.

Come and provide feedback to the midshipmen on their designs!
8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Lunch will be provided
Rickover 103, US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
RSVP POC: Professor Paul Miller (phmiller@usna.edu)