Manoeuvring Tank
Parent Body: Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), Haslar, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2AG

Principal Functions
Testing of free manoeuvring models of ships, submarines, submersibles and maritime structures, with and without long-crested waves.

General Details
Indoor body of clean fresh water 61m × 122m × 5.5m deep. Fitted with wave making machines capable of generating long crested regular and random waves, with regular wave heights up to 0.6m and random wave heights of up to about 0.2m. The tank also has a magnetic loop communication system enabling messages to be passed to the autopilots which control the model ships and submarines under test.

Special Features
All facilities at DERA Haslar are equipped with minicomputer data acquisition systems. They are supported by drawing offices, workshops, instrumentation laboratories and operations staff. Models for testing in the facilities can therefore be designed, manufactured, instrumented and controlled for clients, or clients can supply their own models. DERA also has access to other testing facilities, including a 30m deep quarry, which are equipped so that the same models can be operated in them.

Future Plans
A multi-element wave maker, suitable for the generation of short-crested, random waves may be installed in the future.

Availability
The facility is available to other bodies in both the private and public sector. There are no restrictions on the type of body that can apply to use the facility. Variable new facility bookings are fitted into the existing programme by agreement with the client. An ‘experiment contract’ is agreed between DERA and the client.

Charging Basis
Prices are agreed as part of the ‘experiment contract’. There is the possibility of negotiating an exchange agreement. The minimum hire period is half a day.

Site Access
The site has ready access for vehicles and local accommodation is available for the hirer’s staff.

Contact Information
Ian Grant, Commercial Manager
Centre for Marine Technology
Building 58, Room 114A
DERA Haslar
Haslar Road
Gosport
Hants, PO12 2AG
Telephone: 023 9233 5130      Fax: 023 9233 5012
E-mail:  idgrant@dera.gov.uk