Ship operating characteristics and their implications for shiptrack formation
By:  Scott D. Katz
Contributors: Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 76
Description: Shiptrack occurrence is restricted to a narrow range of environmental conditions and ship operating      characteristics. Under environmental conditions favorable for shiptrack formation, not all vessels produce a track. Shiptrack producing diesel vessels are distinguished from non-shiptrack producing diesel vessels by a 17.7 percent higher rate of fuel use, 8.8 percent larger power plant size, and one knot higher transit speed. T-tests comparing these two populations indicate that power/transit speed, power*fuel/speed, power*fuel, tonnage/fuel use, power/hull cross-section, transit speed, power plant size and rate of fuel use are tactically distinct (greater than 60% confidence level). These parameters and ratios of parameters may be useful in predicting the occurrence and non-occurrence of shiptracks.
Notes: "March 1998."

Thesis advisor(s): Philip A. Durkee and Carlyle H. Wash.

Thesis (M.S. in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography) Naval Postgraduate School, March 1998.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 75).

Approved for public release, distribution unlimited.

Also available online.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Abode Acrobat reader.

US Navy (USN) author.

updated dlb 12/12/06