Numerical Model Validation Using Full-Scale Data: Well Boat Moored to Fish Cage

Abstract In the coming years, the aquaculture industry is expected to move towards exposed locations. Here, operational criteria should be based on validated numerical models. This paper validates a numerical model of a well boat moored to a fish cage by using full-scale measurements. First, the full-scale setup is presented and recreated numerically using the time-domain simulation software SIMA. Next, simulations are performed, and the results are compared to the full-scale aquaculture operation. The validation procedure is performed by comparing the amplitude and phase differences between time series of the full-scale measurements and the numerical SIMA model. We consider the horizontal vessel motions and the forces in the bridle lines, i.e. the lines connecting the fish cage collar to the frame mooring. The horizontal motions are represented by the vessel’s North and East positions, in addition to the vessel heading. The numerical model is shown to produce results comparable to the full-scale measurements. Some discrepancies are observed, and they are partly caused by difficulties recreating the actual environmental conditions in the numerical simulations. It is shown that SIMA is a suitable software capable of accurately representing a real-life operation in the aquaculture industry.