Comparative study of nozzle thrust for jet propulsion of a shallow water aquacultural research craft.

In the past significant research effort has been directed toward the deep sea, leaving the
coastal and estuarine (the most productive parts of the ocean) research lacking. Consequently,
Harbor Branch Oceanographic lnstitution (HBOI) has been working to provide shallow water
scientists the necessary systems and tools to equal deep water capabilities. Research vessels
operating in shallow water have an important design constraint: "the propulsion system must
operate and maneuver the vessel without denruction to the ecologically sensitive areas".
Design of propulsion systems for maneuverability of shallow draft vessels will be important for
future activities, particularly those which will nor impinge on the bottom, or physically
damage the bottom when run aground.
This project is an experimental effort to develop a propulsion system for the maneuverability
of shallow water craft used by Harbor Branch Oceanographic lnstitution for aquacultural
research purposes. The appropriate jet propulsion system with the rotating nozzle assembly is
designed to suit the existing conditions. Nozzle prototype configurations (converging, straight
and diverging) were tested and the experimental results are presented