The Wave System of the Sydney Harbor RiverCat Ferry

Abstract

We revisit here the hydrodynamics supporting the design and development of the RiverCat class of catamaran ferries operating in Sydney Harbor since 1991. The design of the ferry was strongly influenced by the requirement to limit the erosion of the banks on the sides of the Parramatta River along which these ferries operate. More advanced software is used here. This software accounts for the hydrodynamics of the transom stern which create a hollow in the water. This hollow causes an effective hydrodynamic lengthening of the vessel. This leads to a reduction in the generation of the wave system and the consequent wave resistance. It is demonstrated that lengthening the RiverCat would substantially reduce its wave generation.