Every two years there is a High Speed Boat Operations conference (HSBO 2010) with the participants covering a wide area of expertise from manufacturers, naval architects, operators and the medical profession – all concerned with high speed vessels. Improvements to hull design and engine performance permits these craft to go at ever increasing speeds. There has been much recent research on the subject of injuries and shock mitigation concerned with the operation of high speed craft. Adopting the traditional standing can result in broken bones or spinal injuries. A better solution, assuming good visibility is the use of special seats with built in shock absorbers.
Every two years there is a High Speed Boat Operations conference (HSBO 2010) which this year attracted over 160 delegates from about 20 countries. The participants cover a wide area of expertise from manufacturers, naval architects, operators and the medical profession – all concerned with high speed vessels.
As improvements to hull design and engine performance permits these craft to go at ever increasing speeds and in more demanding sea conditions, a theme that is not often covered in great detail at marine conferences is the subject of the health of the operators. There has been much recent research on the subject of injuries and shock mitigation concerned with the operation of high speed craft. Well documented records covering recreational, military and racing injuries have led to changes in operation, hull design and equipment to mitigate the effects of speed and sea state.
For example, to improve visibility or for comfort reasons, driving a boat at speed in rough seas often results in the helmsman standing. Adopting this traditional position with slightly bent knees has been found, contrary to many beliefs, to actually increase the g forces and can result in broken bones or spinal injuries. A better solution, assuming good visibility is the use of special seats with built in shock absorbers.
Good visibility is not enough, the instrumentation requires special attention as some gages and instrument have been found to become illegible due to vibration and shocks when wave jumping. Better ergonomically located controls with improved readability of instruments and displays also needs to be included in the overall design of the craft, to make high speed operation more comfortable and safer.