SPEED LOG

A Research Work
Presented to the
2/O Randy Diamante
of United Marine Training Center

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the
Technical Navigation 3
Navigation Equipment
2nd Block Prospective Officers Training Program

Researchers:
DCAD NAUNGAYAN, KYLE
DCAD GENCIAGAN, JHON MARK
Batch-78
Introduction

Speed log, also known as, chip log, ship log or common log, measures the ship’s speed. This
measurement is based into a known datum either by ground or by water, hence, the terms “speed
over the ground” and “speed through the water.”

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain the working principle of Speed log using:
-Water pressure
-Electro-magnetic induction
-Acoustic correlation techniques
Explain the principles of speed measurement using the
doppler effect.

SOLAS Requirements and Minimum performance standards

This equipment is required as per SOLAS chapter V/19, which states as follows:

• 2.3 All ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards and passenger ships irrespective of size
shall, in addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph 2.2, be fitted with:

o 2.3.4 speed and distance measuring device, or other means, to indicate speed and
distance through the water.
• 2.9. All ships of 50,000 gross tonnage and upwards shall, in addition to meeting the
requirements of paragraph 2.8, have:
o 2.9.2. a speed and distance measuring device, or other means, to indicate speed
and distance over the ground in the forward and athwartships direction.

Where, the performance standards set in Resolution MSC.96(72) as amended by Resolution

A.824(19) is as stated:

• 1.1 Devices to indicate speed and distance are intended for general navigational and ship
manoeuvring use. Although the minimum requirement is to provide information on the
distance run and the forward speed of the ship through the water or over the ground,
additional information on ship's motions other than in the forward axis may be provided.
The equipment should comply fully with its performance standard at forward speeds up to
the maximum speed of the ship and in water of depth greater than 3 m beneath the keel.

• 2.1 Speed information may be presented in either analogue or digital form. Where a
digital display is used, its incremental steps should not exceed 0.1 knots. Analogue displays
should be graduated at least every 0.5 knots and be marked with figures at least every 5
knots. If the display can present the speed of the ship in other than the forward direction,
the direction of movement should be indicated unambiguously.
 • 2.2 Distance run information should be presented in digital form. The display should
cover the range from 0 to not less than 9999.9 nautical miles and the incremental steps
should not exceed 0.1 nautical miles. Where practicable, means should be provided for
resetting a readout to zero.

• 2.3 The display should be easily readable by day and by night.

• 2.4 Means should be provided for feeding distance run information to other
equipment fitted on board. In this regard:

• 2.5 If equipment is capable of being operated in either the "speed through the water" or
"speed over the ground" mode, mode selection and mode indication should be provided.

• 2.6 If the equipment has provision for indicating speeds other than on a single fore and aft
axis, then the forward and athwart speed through the water must be provided, and the
forward and athwart speed over the ground may be provided as an additional option.
Resultant speed and course information may be provided as a switchable option. All such
information should clearly indicate the direction, mode and validity status of the
displayed information.

• 3.1 Errors in the indicated speed, when the ship is operating free from shallow water effect
and from the effects of wind, current and tide, should not exceed 2% of the speed of the
ship, or 0.2 knots, whichever is greater.

• 3.2 Errors in the indicated distance run, when the ship is operating free from shallow water
effect and from the effects of wind, current and tide, should not exceed 2% of the distance
run by the ship in 1 h or 0.2 nautical miles in each hour, whichever is greater.

History of Speed logs

The history of speed logs also explains why the speed unit “nautical miles per hour” is widely
accepted as “knots.”

The first known device for measuring speed is claimed to be the “Dutchman’s log” sometime in
between 15th and 16th century. A chip of wood attached with weights is being thrown over the
ship’s stern and acts as a drogue. As the vessel moves, the rope attached to the chip is allowed to
pay out from the “log”. This rope has knots that serve as marks for each succeeding nautical miles,
thus, the coinage for the term “knots” in place of nautical miles.

It is known that a nautical mile per hour is equivalent to 0.514 meter per second, in a given time
through the use of a small hourglass (28 secs), the distance in between knots of the ropes being
used is 14.4 meters.

Further developments lead to the use of impellers for measuring speeds, this is the birth of impeller
logs.
Types of Speed logs

The following are the types of speed logs:

Impeller speed logs –
Pitometer speed logs –
Electro-magnetic speed logs-
Doppler speed logs -
uses the movement of the water as it passes through the
impeller
utilizes the pressure difference of moving water against its
static pressure.
uses the principle of Electro-magnetic induction.
uses the principle of Acoustic correlation technique.

Working principles of speed logs

WATER PRESSURE

Pitometer speed logs – Two orifice enclosed in a so-called “pit sword” is immersed into the water
beyond the ship’s hull. One tube faces where the vessel is moving as an inlet for dynamic pressure
while the other faces downward as an inlet for static pressure. The control units for converting
pressure indications into speed units consists of a sensitive bellows and its movements converts
into rotary motion by suitable mechanical and electrical linkage. This measures speed by
differential pressure. Therefore, the greater the pressure difference, the greater the speed.

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC INDUCTION

Electro-magnetic speed logs – also called as EM log measures the electromagnetic induction
generated in sea water by its movement relative to magnetic field by the electrodes fitted in the
hull of the vessel.
• Electro-magnetic induction relies on a coil in an electromagnetic sensor. When
the AC current energizes the coil, it creates a magnetic field surrounding the
sensor. Moving charged particles affect this field inducing voltage. This voltage
increases as the speed of the conductor increases.
Advantages:
• The sensor does not project beyond the hull of the ship
• EM log operates with greater accuracy and can measure smaller ship speeds.
• Receiving device does not require regular maintenance.
• Small in size
Disadvantage:
• It cannot be used in freshwater

ACOUSTIC CORRELATON TECHNIQUE

Doppler speed logs – works in the principle of doppler effect which is the change in frequency or
wavelength of the wave for an observer who is moving relative to the source. A transmitting
transducer below the ship continuously emits a beam of sound vibrations in the water at an angle
(usually 60° to the keel) in the forward direction. A second transducer aboard receives the echo
caused by diffuse reflection from the seabed. A doppler log uses a higher frequency than an echo
sounder.

Errors of echo sounder:

• Ship’s motion (rolling and pitching)

• Temperature and salinity of water
• Alignment of transducer
• Loss of signal strength
• Speed log sensor location

Features of a doppler log:

• Speed is measured either relative to the seabed “bottom track” or relative to the water
“water track”.
• Can measure ahead, astern & athwartship movements
• Can be used for ocean navigation as well as berthing and maneuvering in close waters.
• High performance due to proven Acoustic Correlation technology
• Can measure very low speeds
• Easy set-up and calibration from bridge display
• Easy to install with only a few mechanical parts
• Space saving arrangements
• Safe due to rugged design and watertight cable