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The nautical bottom concept in the harbour of Zeebrugge
Delefortrie, G.; Vantorre, M. (2006). The nautical bottom concept in the harbour of Zeebrugge, in: 31st PIANC congress, 14-18 May 2006, Estoril Congress Centre, Portugal: book of papers. pp. [1-10]
In: (2006). 31st PIANC congress, 14-18 May 2006, Estoril Congress Centre, Portugal: book of papers. PIANC = AIPCN: Brussel, more

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Document type: Conference paper

Keywords
    Harbours and waterways > Manoeuvring behaviour > Nautical bottom
    Nautical bottom
    Physical modelling
    Simulations
    ANE, Belgium, Brugge, Zeebrugge Harbour [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Delefortrie, G., more
  • Vantorre, M., more

Abstract
    In order to keep navigation safe, ships need a minimum under keel clearance; therefore, an unambiguous definition and a reliable survey technique for the depth of navigation areas are required. However, in harbours and access channels covered with a soft mud layer the bottom is hard to define, while the common measuring techniques such as echo-sounding do not lead to satisfactory results. Therefore the nautical bottom concept was introduced by PIANC (1997) as "the level where physical characteristics of the bottom reach a critical limit beyond which contact with a ship’s keel causes either damage or unacceptable effects on controllability and manoeuvrability". An overview is given of an experimental program that had been setup to assess the controllability of ships in muddy areas. Based on the results of this research project, a revision of the definition of the nautical bottom in the harbour of Zeebrugge was suggested.

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