Spectre Marine
Science
The outspoken policy of Spectre Marine is that all employees always need to pay attention to new knowledge. We claim to have very high competence within our branch. However, it is important to always be receivable for new knowledge. Not only do we listen to people in our surroundings; we try to gain more knowledge by conduting tests and research on our own. Below, short info from two studies are presented. For mor info, please get in touch with Gustav Klock, head of R&D
Eye-tracking measurements
The purpose of these tests were to determine whether or not there are comparable differences regarding how the driver of a high speed vessel obtains his environmental information in 20 and 50 knots respectively. This was done using an eye-tracking device, measuring eye movements of the driver.
equipment mounting
Equipment adjustments
The test
The measurements were done on two different tracks in 20 and 50 knots. The result showed that the driver can get an opinion regarding his geographical location, where he is going and if there are other boats in the surroundings. In 50 knots, the driver looked firmly precisely above the stem of the boat, totally focused on how to manage the next wave. Hardly any time went for instrument checking, searching for other boats or to navigation.On the way out
Calibration of equipment
Computer and screen, sheltered from salty sprinkle under the console
Ergonomics on high speed vessels
Sea rescue, coast guard, miltary escorts, RIB-charter and tanker- and oil rig transports have two things in common: the need to be able to travel in all weathers and they need to be able to travel fast
The human is the limit
The high speed vessels, avaliable today for the professional market has a more and more advanced hull design, withstanding large instant loads from waves, both lateral and vertically. This is however not the case with humans, still remaining on the same level of endurance.Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine if it is possible to obtain qualitative indications on risks combined with sitting in unfavourable postures during high speeds with the help of simulation software. With such a result, guidelines on how to work with a total system-thinking when designing the driver environment can be formulated.Hypothesis
Today, the design process lacks in its ability to see the driver environment as a total system. Instead, focus is put into the design of either the seat or the environment as two isolated units, resulting in a system not corresponding to the biomechanical requirements of a human being. The question is if this can be determined via simulated tests, figurating transient loads on the lower back in order to provide indication of risk augmentation if hitting a wave in a wrongful posture.Result and conclusion
simulation results, posture comparison
Results showed extreme risk augmentation of back injuries if being exposed to transient vertical and/or lateral loads of 5G, when sitting in wrongful position. A reduction of 93% were found in the sheer force of vertabraes (yellow bar top left in fig above) and an 77% reduction in muscle tensions (erector spinae, dubble red bars in fig above), when sitting upright in a correct posture (Spectre ErgoHSE Design, lower left fig) in compare with sitting with lateral/vertical flexion (CAD replica of driver environment from a high speed vessel, lower right picture). Note that these numbers are calculated when using a simulation software, providing results with questionable ecological validity. Nevertheless, the indications are clear; the risk augmentation of back injuries are seriously increased if the design of the driver environment does not encourage a correct, upright posture.
