THE OPTIMIZATION OF A TRIMARAN FIREFIGHTING VESSEL FOR THE GULF OF GUINEA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjoest.v7i1.279Keywords:
Trimaran, firefighting, emergency response, accidents, rescueAbstract
Offshore oil, gas, and emerging renewable energy operations are increasingly exposed to severe fire and explosion risks due to the handling of large volumes of flammable materials, complex processing systems, and remote operating environments. Effective offshore emergency response therefore depends critically on the availability of specialized firefighting vessels capable of rapid deployment, high operational stability, and sustained suppression performance. This review examines the optimization of Trimaran firefighting vessels with specific reference to operational demands within the Gulf of Guinea, a region characterized by intensive offshore activity, relatively benign sea states, and growing safety and environmental concerns. The paper synthesizes existing literature on offshore firefighting requirements, vessel speed and response time, hydrodynamic resistance, stability, seakeeping, and firefighting system integration, with emphasis on the inherent limitations of conventional Monohull designs. Particular attention is given to the trade-offs between speed, fuel efficiency, stability, and fire monitor effectiveness, which often constrain Monohull performance during high-intensity firefighting operations. The review highlights how multihull configurations, especially Trimarans, offer superior hydrodynamic efficiency, enhanced transverse stability, increased deck area, and improved operational safety through the decoupling of resistance and stability functions. In addition, the study discusses regulatory frameworks governing maritime fire safety, common offshore fire scenarios, and the performance characteristics of various firefighting agents and systems relevant to offshore applications. A comparative assessment of Monohull, catamaran, Ttrimaran, and alternative advanced hull forms demonstrates the Trimaran’s suitability for high-speed, cost-effective, and stable firefighting operations in the Gulf of Guinea. The review identifies a clear research gap in region-specific optimization of Trimaran firefighting vessels and provides a structured foundation for future design, numerical analysis, and performance optimization studies aimed at improving offshore emergency response capability, safety, and sustainability.
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