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Visualization of Coastal Carbonate Lithosomes: Color-Intensity Patterns and Georadar Imaging of a Semi-Lithified Strandplain, Eleuthera Island, The Bahamas
A Proposal for Alternative Navigation Routes Following the Development of Offshore Wind Farms in the Waters of the Republic of Korea
Sea Ice as a Driver of Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) 20 Hz Acoustic Presence in Eastern Antarctic Waters
Surf and Swash Zone Dynamics from High-Frequency Observations at a Microtidal Low-Energy Dissipative Beach

Journal Description

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on marine science and engineering, published monthly online by MDPI. The Australia New Zealand Marine Biotechnology Society (ANZMBS) is affiliated with JMSE and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.

Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
High Visibility: indexed with Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), Ei Compendex, GeoRef, Inspec, AGRIS, and other databases.
Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Engineering, Marine) / CiteScore - Q2 (Ocean Engineering)
Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 15.6 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 1.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2025).
Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Journal Clusters of Water Resources: Water, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Hydrology, Resources, Oceans, Limnological Review, Coasts.

Impact Factor: 2.8 (2024); 5-Year Impact Factor: 2.8 (2024)

Imprint Information Journal Flyer Open Access ISSN: 2077-1312

Latest Articles

29 pages, 5553 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intermittent Event-Triggered Control for Multi-AUV System with Obstacle Avoidance

by Han Sun and Xiaogong Lin

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1557; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081557 - 13 Aug 2025

This paper investigates the collaborative obstacle avoidance control of multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in underwater environments with communication delays and intermittent connectivity. Firstly, a novel time-delay piecewise differential inequality incorporating an exponential decay term is established, which systematically integrates state delay, intermittent [...] Read more.

This paper investigates the collaborative obstacle avoidance control of multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in underwater environments with communication delays and intermittent connectivity. Firstly, a novel time-delay piecewise differential inequality incorporating an exponential decay term is established, which systematically integrates state delay, intermittent control strategies, and event-triggered mechanisms. Secondly, the traditional request-response mechanism is replaced by a broadcast communication protocol, significantly reducing the requirement for continuous inter-AUV communication and enhancing overall communication efficiency. Thirdly, the obstacle avoidance problem of multiple AUVs is addressed through the implementation of a nominal-optimized controller. Obstacle avoidance safety conditions between unmanned vehicles and obstacles are derived by employing a zeroing control barrier function (CBF). Based on these safety conditions and input constraints, a quadratic programming (QP) framework is formulated to dynamically optimize control signals in real time, thereby ensuring the safe operation of the multi-AUV system. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed control method is validated through comprehensive simulation results, demonstrating its robustness and practical performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)

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16 pages, 4362 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Radar Target Detection in Sea Clutter Based on Two-Stage Collaboration

by Jingang Wang, Tong Xiao and Peng Liu

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1556; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081556 - 13 Aug 2025

Radar target detection in sea clutter aims to effectively discern the presence of maritime targets within the current radar echo. The latest detection methods predominantly rely on sophisticated deep neural networks as their underlying design framework. One major obstacle to applying these radar [...] Read more.

Radar target detection in sea clutter aims to effectively discern the presence of maritime targets within the current radar echo. The latest detection methods predominantly rely on sophisticated deep neural networks as their underlying design framework. One major obstacle to applying these radar target-detection methods in practical scenarios is the false alarm rate. The existing methods are mostly one-stage, where after feature extraction from radar echoes, a single prediction is made to determine whether or not it contains a sea surface target, resulting in a binary classification result. In this paper, we propose a detection model with the intention of increasing the credibility of the prediction results through a two-stage confirmation process, thereby advancing the practical application of neural-based radar target-detection algorithms. Experimental findings provide compelling evidence supporting the superiority of the proposed method in terms of detection performance and robustness under different conditions, surpassing existing techniques. In light of practical deployment considerations, future efforts should be directed towards investigating the generalization capabilities of the radar detection model specifically under low sea conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Physical Oceanography)

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21 pages, 5595 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Benthic Ostracods as Indicators of Nearshore Pollution: An Example from Hurghada Bay, Red Sea Coast, Egypt

by Ramadan M. El-Kahawy, Petra Heinz, Mostafa M. Sayed, Ammar Mannaa, Rabea A. Haredy and Michael Wagreich

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1555; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081555 - 13 Aug 2025

Twenty-nine sediment samples were collected from Hurghada Bay, a highly impacted coastal area along the Northern Red Sea of Egypt, to evaluate environmental quality and human-induced effects on benthic ostracods. As potential bioindicators, benthic ostracods are highly responsive to environmental disturbances, with pollution [...] Read more.

Twenty-nine sediment samples were collected from Hurghada Bay, a highly impacted coastal area along the Northern Red Sea of Egypt, to evaluate environmental quality and human-induced effects on benthic ostracods. As potential bioindicators, benthic ostracods are highly responsive to environmental disturbances, with pollution leading to reduced abundance, lower diversity, and increased opportunistic taxa. To investigate the link between ostracod assemblages and sediment contamination, we measured the concentrations of eight heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, As, Cr, Ni, and Mn) using inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Multivariate statistical analyses identified three distinct ostracod assemblages distributed across three station groups with varying pollution levels. Group I, associated with offshore stations, exhibited low to moderate heavy metal (HM) concentrations and high ostracod abundance and was dominated by Moosella striata, Hiltermannicythere rubrimaris, Ruggieria danielopoli, Neonesidea schulzi, and Paranesidea fracticorallcola, where the water depth and sand content are the main controlling factors. In contrast, Group II, corresponding to stations with the highest HMs and total organic matter (TOM), was dominated by pollution-tolerant species Jugosocythereis borchersi, Cyprideis torosa, Alocopocythere reticulata, and, to a lesser extent, Ghardaglaia triebeli, with reduced ostracod density and diversity. Group III, characterized by stations influenced by the mud-controlling factor, had the lowest HMs and was dominated by pollution-sensitive species Xestoleberis rhomboidei, Paranesidea fortificata, and Loxocorniculum ghardaquensis. These findings highlight the ecological risks posed by HM pollution and emphasize the urgent need for pollution mitigation strategies and continued monitoring to preserve the Red Sea’s benthic biodiversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Environmental Science)

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30 pages, 3877 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ship Voyage Route Waypoint Optimization Method Using Reinforcement Learning Considering Topographical Factors and Fuel Consumption

by Juhyang Lee, Youngseo Park, Jeongon Eom, Hungyu Hwang and Sewon Kim

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1554; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081554 - 13 Aug 2025

As the IMO and the EU strengthen carbon emission regulations, eco-friendly voyage planning is increasingly recognized by ship owners as one of the most important performance factors of the vessel fleet. The eco-friendly voyage planning aims to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption [...] Read more.

As the IMO and the EU strengthen carbon emission regulations, eco-friendly voyage planning is increasingly recognized by ship owners as one of the most important performance factors of the vessel fleet. The eco-friendly voyage planning aims to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption while satisfying voyage constraints. In this study, a novel route waypoint optimization method is proposed, which combines a fuel consumption forecasting model based on the Transformer and a Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm for adaptive waypoint planning. The developed framework suggests a multi-objective methodology unlike the traditional approaches where a single objective is sought after, which characterizes fuel efficiency against navigational safety and operational simplicity. The methodology consists of three sequential phases. First, the transformer model is employed to predict ship fuel consumption using navigational and environmental data. Next, the predicted consumption values are utilized as a reward function in a PPO-based reinforcement learning framework to generate fuel-efficient routes. Finally, the number and placement of waypoints are further optimized with respect to terrain and bathymetric constraints, improving the practicality and safety of the navigational plan. The results show that the proposed method could decrease average fuel consumption by up to 11.33% across three real-world case studies: Busan–Rotterdam, Busan–Los Angeles, and Mokpo–Houston, compared to AIS-based routes. The transformer model outperformed Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Random Forest baselines with the highest prediction accuracy, achieving an R² score of 86.75%. This study is the first to incorporate transformer-based forecasting into reinforcement learning for maritime route planning and demonstrates how the method adaptively controls waypoint density in response to environmental and geographical conditions. These results support the practical application of the approach in smart ship navigation systems aligned with IMO’s decarbonization goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Solutions for Marine Operations)

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20 pages, 6570 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Autonomous Vehicle Maneuvering Using Vision–LLM Models for Marine Surface Vehicles

by Tae-Yeon Kim and Woen-Sug Choi

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1553; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081553 - 13 Aug 2025

Recent advances in vision–language models (VLMs) have transformed the field of robotics. Researchers are combining the reasoning capabilities of large language models (LLMs) with the visual information processing capabilities of VLMs in various domains. However, most efforts have focused on terrestrial robots and [...] Read more.

Recent advances in vision–language models (VLMs) have transformed the field of robotics. Researchers are combining the reasoning capabilities of large language models (LLMs) with the visual information processing capabilities of VLMs in various domains. However, most efforts have focused on terrestrial robots and are limited in their applicability to volatile environments such as ocean surfaces and underwater environments, where real-time judgment is required. We propose a system integrating the cognition, decision making, path planning, and control of autonomous marine surface vehicles in the ROS2–Gazebo simulation environment using a multimodal vision–LLM system with zero-shot prompting for real-time adaptability. In 30 experiments, adding the path plan mode feature increased the success rate from 23% to 73%. The average distance increased from 39 m to 45 m, and the time required to complete the task increased from 483 s to 672 s. These results demonstrate the trade-off between improved reliability and reduced efficiency. Experiments were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed system and evaluate its performance with and without adding a path-planning step. The final algorithm with the path-planning sub-process yields a higher success rate, and better average path length and time. We achieve real-time environmental adaptability and performance improvement through prompt engineering and the addition of a path-planning sub-process in a limited structure, where the LLM state is initialized with every application programming interface call (zero-shot prompting). Additionally, the developed system is independent of the vision–LLM archetype, making it scalable and adaptable to future models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Measurement and Control System of Marine Robots)

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27 pages, 17879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Vortex-Induced Vibration Characteristics of Small-Scale and Large-Scale Risers in Uniform Oscillatory Flow

by Shuo Gao and Enhao Wang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1552; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081552 - 13 Aug 2025

A time-domain semi-empirical simulation model based on the wake oscillator approach is developed to investigate the coupled in-line (IL) and cross-flow (CF) vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of a flexible riser in uniform oscillatory flow. A novel nondimensionalization method is introduced by utilizing the dimensionless [...] Read more.

A time-domain semi-empirical simulation model based on the wake oscillator approach is developed to investigate the coupled in-line (IL) and cross-flow (CF) vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of a flexible riser in uniform oscillatory flow. A novel nondimensionalization method is introduced by utilizing the dimensionless parameter

S t K C

, which effectively replicates the fundamental lift frequency caused by the complex vortex motion around the riser. The structural responses of the riser are described using the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, and the van der Pol equations are used to calculate the fluid forces acting on the riser, which can replicate the nonlinear vortex dynamics. The coupled equations are discretized in both time and space with a finite difference method (FDM), enabling iterative computations of the VIV responses of the riser. A total of six cases are examined with four different Keulegan–Carpenter (

K C

) numbers (i.e.,

K C = 31

, 56, 121, and 178) to investigate the VIV characteristics of small-scale and large-scale risers in uniform oscillatory flow. Key features such as intermittent VIV, amplitude modulation, and hysteresis, as well as the VIV development process, are analyzed in detail. The simulation results show good agreement with the experimental data, indicating that the proposed numerical model is able to reliably reproduce the riser VIV in uniform oscillatory flow. Overall, the VIV characteristics of the large-scale riser resemble those of the small-scale riser but exhibit higher vibration modes, stronger traveling wave features, and more complex energy transfer mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theory, Method and Engineering Application of Computational Mechanics in Offshore Structures II)

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20 pages, 3188 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modal Density Evaluation of a Fluid-Loaded Free-Damping Stiffened Plate

by Zhiwei Guo, Yipeng Cheng and Meiping Sheng

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081551 - 12 Aug 2025

An analytical method is developed to evaluate the modal density of a fluid-loaded stiffened plate with a damping layer. The effects of the damping layer, ribs, and fluid load on the structure’s equivalent bending rigidity and surface density are analyzed. The vibration equation [...] Read more.

An analytical method is developed to evaluate the modal density of a fluid-loaded stiffened plate with a damping layer. The effects of the damping layer, ribs, and fluid load on the structure’s equivalent bending rigidity and surface density are analyzed. The vibration equation is obtained by applying the Hamilton principle, and the modal density is calculated by counting modes in the specific band. The modal density calculation method for both ribbed-type plates and uniform-type plates is verified through numerical simulation. The increase in the number of ribs has made the rib-off frequency at which the effect of the ribs can be neglected become higher, since the wavelength needs to be shorter when the ribbed plate can be treated as a uniform-type plate. The introduction of the damping layer has slightly increased the modal density compared to the uniform plate. In contrast, the introduction of fluid load has dramatically increased the modal density of the corresponding base plate in the low-frequency domain, and the effect of the fluid load can be ignored in the high-frequency domain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ship Structural Vibrations and Underwater Acoustics)

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19 pages, 5533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sedimentary Processes of Gas Hydrate-Bearing Layers in the Dongsha Area, South China Sea: Implications for Hydrate Accumulation

by Yuhan Wang, Chenyang Bai, Zhe Wang, Wenlin Chen, Xiaolei Xu, Hongyuan Xu and Hongbin Wang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1550; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081550 - 12 Aug 2025

The methane flux in the Dongsha area in the northern South China Sea is relatively high. The results indicate the presence of both shallow and deep gas hydrate reservoirs at the Site DS-W08. The gas hydrate reservoir in this area is mainly composed [...] Read more.

The methane flux in the Dongsha area in the northern South China Sea is relatively high. The results indicate the presence of both shallow and deep gas hydrate reservoirs at the Site DS-W08. The gas hydrate reservoir in this area is mainly composed of fine-grained sediments, and high-saturation gas hydrates are present. The shallow-GHR (8–24 mbsf) exhibits a maximum hydrate saturation of 14% (pore volume). The deep-GHR (below 65 mbsf) shows a maximum hydrate saturation of 33% The suspended sedimentation process on the banks of turbidity currents and the deep-water traction current sedimentation process play potentially important roles in the enrichment of gas hydrates. To investigate the influence of sedimentary processes on gas hydrate accumulation, this study analyzed gas hydrate saturation, sediment grain size, grain compositions, biological components, and geochemical characteristics of hydrate-bearing and adjacent layers at Site DS-W08. Sediment grain size analysis suggests that the studied layer was formed through the interaction of turbidity current-induced overbank suspended deposition and traction current deposition. By comprehensively analyzing the comparison of sediment Sr/Ba ratios and the data of foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils, it is found that the bank deposits and traction current deposits triggered by turbidity currents correspond to glacial periods and interglacial periods, respectively. Analysis of biological components shows that layers with high foraminifera content and traction current-modified sediments are more favorable for gas hydrate accumulation. Hydrate reservoirs are all composed of traction current deposits, and the cap rock rich in foraminifera fossils at the top promotes hydrate formation; while the fine-grained turbidites formed during the turbidite deposition process inhibit hydrate accumulation. This study aims to deepen the understanding of the enrichment mechanism of natural gas hydrates and support the commercial development of fine-grained sediments in the northern South China Sea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Marine Gas Hydrate Exploration and Discovery—2nd Edition)

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26 pages, 17520 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Scale Geophysics and Chemistry-Based Investigation of Alteration Evolution Mechanisms in Buried Hills of the Northern South China Sea

by Xinru Wang, Baozhi Pan, Yuhang Guo, Julin Zhang, Xun Yu and Pengji Zhang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1549; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081549 - 12 Aug 2025

Alteration is a common metamorphic process in igneous formations and recorded geological information in different times and spaces. Owing to its unique location, the igneous rocks of the buried hills in the northern South China Sea exhibit complex lithology and alteration patterns resulting [...] Read more.

Alteration is a common metamorphic process in igneous formations and recorded geological information in different times and spaces. Owing to its unique location, the igneous rocks of the buried hills in the northern South China Sea exhibit complex lithology and alteration patterns resulting from multi-phase tectonic, magmatic, and climatic influences. Here, we report buried hills igneous rock samples with both hydrothermal alteration and weathering leaching. Based on multi-scale geophysical–chemical data—including scanning electron microscopy, core slice identification, petrophysical–chemical experiments, zircon dating, wireline logs, element cutting logs, seismic profiles, and others—we analyzed the multi-scale alteration characteristics of buried hills igneous rocks and proposed a four-stage alteration model related to Earth activities. Results demonstrate that tectonic movements develop continuous cracks enabling hydrothermal alteration, while burial-hill uplift facilitates weathering leaching. We further find that multi-phase tectonic movements and associated magmatic activities not only influence global hydrothermal cycles but also govern elemental migration patterns, driving distinct alteration mechanisms in these igneous rocks—including plagioclase metasomatism, hornblende replacement, and carbonate dissolution. Additionally, we identify the Cretaceous arid–cold climate as the primary controller for generating chlorite-dominated hydrothermal alteration products. These multi-scale alteration characteristics confirm Late Jurassic Pacific Plate subduction and Cretaceous South China Plate orogeny and may indicate an earlier initial expansion of the South China Sea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Geological Oceanography)

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17 pages, 3941 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Non-Breaking Wave Mixing on Ocean Modeling in the South China Sea

by Yujie Jing, Kejian Wu, Rui Li and Zipeng Yu

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1548; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081548 - 12 Aug 2025

This study investigates the wave-induced vertical mixing mechanism and systematically compares the application of two non-breaking wave parameterization schemes (Bv and Pw) in oceanic numerical simulations of the South China Sea, according to two key physical variables: sea surface temperature (SST) [...] Read more.

This study investigates the wave-induced vertical mixing mechanism and systematically compares the application of two non-breaking wave parameterization schemes (Bv and Pw) in oceanic numerical simulations of the South China Sea, according to two key physical variables: sea surface temperature (SST) and the vertical mixing coefficient. The goal is to explore the effects of different parameterization methods on the upper-ocean temperature distribution in the South China Sea. The results indicate that although both schemes enhance vertical mixing in the upper ocean, they do so through different mechanisms. The Bv scheme directly increases the vertical mixing coefficient, demonstrating significantly stronger mixing intensity, while the Pw scheme impacts mixing indirectly by modulating turbulent kinetic energy generation, resulting in comparatively weaker mixing. SST simulation results show that the Bv scheme is more effective in reducing SST in both winter and summer, with broader spatial improvements. Further analysis of the mixing coefficient confirms that, compared to the Pw scheme, the Bv scheme not only strengthens surface mixing but also penetrates deeper into the water column. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Physical Oceanography)

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27 pages, 6520 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Online Statistical Decision-Making in Maritime C2 Systems: A Resilience Analysis of the LORD Procedure Under Adversarial Data Perturbations

by Victor Benicio Ardilha da Allen Alves, Gabriel Custódio Rangel, Miguel Ângelo Lellis Moreira, Igor Pinheiro de Araújo Costa, Carlos Francisco Simões Gomes and Marcos dos Santos

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1547; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081547 - 12 Aug 2025

Real-time statistical inference plays a pivotal role in maritime Command and Control (C2) environments, particularly for applications such as satellite-based object detection and underwater signal interpretation. These contexts often require online multiple hypothesis testing mechanisms capable of sequential decision-making while preserving statistical rigor. [...] Read more.

Real-time statistical inference plays a pivotal role in maritime Command and Control (C2) environments, particularly for applications such as satellite-based object detection and underwater signal interpretation. These contexts often require online multiple hypothesis testing mechanisms capable of sequential decision-making while preserving statistical rigor. A primary concern is the control of the False Discovery Rate (FDR), as erroneous detections can impair operational effectiveness. In this study, we investigate the robustness of the Levels based On Recent Discovery (LORD) algorithm under adversarial conditions by introducing controlled perturbations to the data stream—specifically, missing or corrupted p-values derived from simulated Gaussian distributions. Inspired by developments in corruption-aware multi-armed bandit models, we formulate adversarial scenarios and propose defense strategies that modify the LORD algorithm’s threshold sequence and integrate an online Benjamini–Hochberg procedure. The results, based on extensive Monte Carlo simulations, demonstrate that even a single missing p-value can trigger a cascading effect that reduces statistical power, and that our proposed mitigation strategies significantly improve algorithmic resilience while maintaining FDR control. These contributions advance the development of robust online statistical decision-making tools for real-time maritime surveillance systems operating under uncertain and error-prone conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics and Control of Marine Mechatronics)

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14 pages, 4869 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Underwater Image Enhancement Using Dynamic Color Correction and Lightweight Attention-Embedded SRResNet

by Kui Zhang, Yingying Zhang, Da Yuan and Xiandong Feng

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1546; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081546 - 12 Aug 2025

An enhancement method integrating dynamic color correction with a lightweight residual network is proposed to resolve the challenges of color bias and insufficient contrast in underwater imaging. The dynamic color correction module is implemented based on the gray-world assumption, adaptively adjusting inter-channel color [...] Read more.

An enhancement method integrating dynamic color correction with a lightweight residual network is proposed to resolve the challenges of color bias and insufficient contrast in underwater imaging. The dynamic color correction module is implemented based on the gray-world assumption, adaptively adjusting inter-channel color shifts to mitigate blue-green dominance in acquired images. Subsequently, the corrected images are processed through an improved SRResNet architecture incorporating lightweight residual blocks with embedded channel–spatial attention mechanisms, enhancing the responses of feature channels and the saliency of spatial regions Model complexity is reduced through depthwise separable convolutions and channel dimension reduction, ensuring computational efficiency. Validation on UIEB and RUIE datasets demonstrates superior qualitative and quantitative performance, achieving PSNR gains of 0.92–5.95 dB and UCIQE improvements of 0.14–0.74, compared with the established methodologies. Ablation studies quantify the contributions of the color correction and attention mechanisms to the overall enhancement efficiency, verifying the network’s effectiveness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)

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12 pages, 1879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Fatigue Strength of Polar Icebreaker Structures Considering Ice Loads Based on Discrete Ice Element Model

by Lizhi Chen and Zhiyong Pei

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1545; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081545 - 12 Aug 2025

Structural safety is of utmost importance for polar icebreakers under both navigation and icebreaking conditions. In this research, the Palmgren–Miner linear cumulative damage theory is employed to evaluate the structural fatigue lifespan of polar icebreakers. A spectral analysis, incorporating the time distribution coefficients [...] Read more.

Structural safety is of utmost importance for polar icebreakers under both navigation and icebreaking conditions. In this research, the Palmgren–Miner linear cumulative damage theory is employed to evaluate the structural fatigue lifespan of polar icebreakers. A spectral analysis, incorporating the time distribution coefficients for three load conditions, is executed to assess the fatigue damage at typical hot spots during navigation. For icebreaking activities, the ship–ice interaction loads with time history are simulated using the discrete ice element method, taking into account five sub-operating conditions. This simulation is coupled with rainflow counting to evaluate the fatigue damage. The results show that the cumulative fatigue damage during navigation is much less than that during icebreaking. Additionally, shoulder areas suffer more serious fatigue damage during icebreaking as a result of the direct impact of broken ice. Consequently, both navigation and icebreaking conditions should be considered in the design of hull structures and the assessment of fatigue strength for polar icebreakers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)

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30 pages, 6902 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CFD Investigation on Effect of Ship–Helicopter Coupling Motions on Aerodynamic Flow Field and Rotor Loads

by Zhouyang Liu, Yang Liu, Yingnan Ma, Zhanyang Chen and Weidong Zhao

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081544 - 12 Aug 2025

As critical assets for surveillance, reconnaissance, and transport, shipborne helicopters play an indispensable role in modern maritime operations. Ensuring the safety and stability of shipboard landings is therefore of paramount importance, particularly under complex sea conditions. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into [...] Read more.

As critical assets for surveillance, reconnaissance, and transport, shipborne helicopters play an indispensable role in modern maritime operations. Ensuring the safety and stability of shipboard landings is therefore of paramount importance, particularly under complex sea conditions. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the dynamic interaction between helicopters and moving ships during the landing phase, with a particular emphasis on the influence of ship motions on the unsteady aerodynamic flow field and rotor loads. A coupled numerical–theoretical framework is developed, which overcomes the limitations of traditional models that typically consider static or single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) ship motions. This work systematically analyzes the effects of multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) ship motions—including roll, pitch, and heave—on the coupled aerodynamic environment and rotor dynamic response. The results demonstrate that each motion component imposes a distinct influence on the flow-field characteristics, with pitch identified as the dominant contributor to turbulence intensity, particularly during the mid-to-late landing phase. Furthermore, it is found that a linear superposition of individual motions cannot accurately represent the combined effect of MDOF motions. Instead, their interaction leads to complex nonlinear effects, which may attenuate certain flow instabilities. These findings provide critical insights into ship–helicopter dynamic coupling and offer a scientific basis for improving landing safety under adverse sea conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Marine Computational Fluid Dynamics)

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28 pages, 7822 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intelligent Optimization of Waypoints on the Great Ellipse Routes for Arctic Navigation and Segmental Safety Assessment

by Chenchen Jiao, Zhichen Liu, Jiaxin Hou, Jianan Luo and Xiaoxia Wan

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1543; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081543 - 11 Aug 2025

A great ellipse route (GER), as one of the fundamental routes for ocean voyages, directly influences the actual voyage distance and the complexity of vessel maneuvering through the location and number of its waypoints. Against the backdrop of global warming, the melting of [...] Read more.

A great ellipse route (GER), as one of the fundamental routes for ocean voyages, directly influences the actual voyage distance and the complexity of vessel maneuvering through the location and number of its waypoints. Against the backdrop of global warming, the melting of Arctic sea ice has accelerated the opening of the Arctic shipping route. This paper addresses the issue of how to reasonably segment and adopt rhumb line routes to approximate the GER in the special navigational environment of the Arctic. Using historical routes, recommended routes, and geospatial data that have passed through the Arctic shipping lane as constraints, this paper proposes a waypoint optimization model based on an adaptive hybrid particle swarm optimization-genetic algorithm (AHPSOGA). Additionally, by integrating Arctic remote sensing ice condition data and the Polar Operational Limit Assessment Risk Indexing System (POLARIS), a safety assessment model tailored for this route has been developed, enabling the quantification of sea ice risks and dynamic evaluation of segment safety. Experimental results indicate that the proposed waypoint optimization model reduces the number of waypoints and voyage distance compared to recommended routes and conventional shipping industry methods. Furthermore, the AHPSOGA algorithm achieves a 16.41% and 19.19% improvement in convergence speed compared to traditional GA and PSO algorithms, respectively. In terms of computational efficiency, the average runtime is improved by approximately 12.00% and 14.53%, respectively. The risk levels of each segment of the optimized route are comparable to those of the recommended Northeast Passage route. This study provides an effective theoretical foundation and technical support for intelligent planning and decision-making for Arctic shipping routes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maritime Transportation Safety and Risk Management)

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20 pages, 4410 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation on the Hydraulic Characteristics of Self-Rotating Flood Barrier

by Jooyeon Lee, Byoungjoon Na and Sang-Ho Oh

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1542; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081542 - 11 Aug 2025

This study investigated the hydraulic characteristics of a self-rotating flood barrier (SRFB) by performing laboratory experiments. The SRFB is proposed as a secure solution to withstand both waves and sudden water level rise, thereby protecting the coastal area behind it. The SRFB is [...] Read more.

This study investigated the hydraulic characteristics of a self-rotating flood barrier (SRFB) by performing laboratory experiments. The SRFB is proposed as a secure solution to withstand both waves and sudden water level rise, thereby protecting the coastal area behind it. The SRFB is designed to rotate and rise automatically by buoyancy when the water level exceeds a certain threshold or waves start to overtop the crest level of the caisson, where the barrier is enclosed. The barrier begins to rise when the chamber is filled with enough water for the buoyancy force to exceed its own weight. The performance of the structure was tested under various regular wave conditions at different water depths. Pressure transducers were placed along the front face of the barrier to measure the wave pressures acting on it. The barrier’s angular displacement was also identified using synchronized video footage during the measurements. The results showed that the overall magnitude of the measured pressures increased with water depth due to the larger volume of water inflow from overtopping waves. During the rise in the barrier, the pressure profiles dynamically varied with the rotation angle as the pattern of water flow into the chamber changed depending on the test cases. Analysis results showed how the pressures are distributed along the barrier at the moment of peak wave force. These findings would provide fundamental information for estimating design wave forces on the structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Marine Structures)

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28 pages, 2570 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Hydrodynamic Shape Optimization of a Sea-Turtle-Inspired AUH Using an Optuna-Tuned NSGA-II

by Xintong Guo, Hongwu Huang, Chao Yuan, Xiujing Gao, Hao Zhong and Lijiao Wang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1541; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081541 - 11 Aug 2025

Disc-shaped Autonomous Underwater Helicopters (AUHs) offer superior maneuverability but suffer from high hydrodynamic drag, which limits their operational endurance. To address this challenge, this study proposes a robust optimization framework for a novel sea-turtle-inspired AUH. A parametric hull, governed by two dimensionless shape [...] Read more.

Disc-shaped Autonomous Underwater Helicopters (AUHs) offer superior maneuverability but suffer from high hydrodynamic drag, which limits their operational endurance. To address this challenge, this study proposes a robust optimization framework for a novel sea-turtle-inspired AUH. A parametric hull, governed by two dimensionless shape factors based on modified Myring equations, was established to facilitate systematic exploration. To reduce the high computational cost of direct CFD evaluations, a high-precision Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) surrogate model was constructed from a small dataset of 24 samples. The core methodological innovation is T-NSGA-II, an algorithm featuring hyperparameters that are systematically optimized by the Optuna framework. In comparative evaluations, the T-NSGA-II-generated Pareto front demonstrated clear superiority over the standard NSGA-II, identifying designs with significantly lower drag for an equivalent vertical force. A key scientific contribution of this research is the identification of a distinct performance gap on the Pareto front. This phenomenon is interpreted not as an algorithmic artifact but as a ‘natural gap’, reflecting a deep physical trade-off, with potential underlying causes including a critical transition in flow physics or a topological shift in the optimal hull geometries. This work not only delivers a suite of optimized, practical AUH designs but also presents a powerful, intelligent optimization methodology that is capable of revealing fundamental physical trade-offs in complex engineering problems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)

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20 pages, 10557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

HAUV-USV Collaborative Operation System for Hydrological Monitoring

by Qiusheng Wang, Shuibo Hu, Zhou Yang and Guofeng Wu

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1540; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081540 - 11 Aug 2025

Research in marine hydrographic environmental monitoring continues to deepen, necessitating a hardware platform capable of traversing air–water interfaces to collect vertical gradient parameters across oceanographic profiles. This paper proposes a deeply integrated heterogeneous monitoring platform for marine hydrological vertical profiling, addressing the functional [...] Read more.

Research in marine hydrographic environmental monitoring continues to deepen, necessitating a hardware platform capable of traversing air–water interfaces to collect vertical gradient parameters across oceanographic profiles. This paper proposes a deeply integrated heterogeneous monitoring platform for marine hydrological vertical profiling, addressing the functional limitations of conventional unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in subsurface monitoring. By co-designing a hybrid aerial underwater vehicle (HAUV) with cross-domain capabilities and a USV, the system leverages USVs for long-endurance surface operations and HAUVs for high-speed vertical column monitoring. Key innovations include (1) a distributed collaborative architecture enabling “Air–Sea–Air” cyclic operations; (2) dynamic modeling of HAUV-USV interactions incorporating aerodynamic and hydrodynamic coupling; (3) an MPC-based collaborative tracking algorithm for real-time USV pursuit under marine disturbances; and (4) a vision-guided synchronous landing strategy achieving decimeter-level docking accuracy in bad conditions. Simulation experiments validate the system’s efficacy in trajectory tracking and precision landing. This work bridges the critical gap in marine vertical profile monitoring while demonstrating robust cross-domain coordination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)

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24 pages, 4158 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Land Subsidence and Coastal Flood Impact Scenarios Based on Remote Sensing in Selangor, Malaysia

by Navakanesh M. Batmanathan, Joy Jacqueline Pereira, Afroz Ahmad Shah, Nurfashareena Muhamad and Lim Choun Sian

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1539; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081539 - 11 Aug 2025

This study uses remote sensing data to assess susceptibility to hazards, which are then validated to model impact scenarios for land subsidence and coastal flooding in the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) of Selangor, Malaysia, to support decision-making in urban planning and land [...] Read more.

This study uses remote sensing data to assess susceptibility to hazards, which are then validated to model impact scenarios for land subsidence and coastal flooding in the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) of Selangor, Malaysia, to support decision-making in urban planning and land management. Land subsidence and coastal floods affect a major proportion of the population in the ICZM, with subsidence being significant contributing factors, but information on the extent of susceptible areas, monitoring, and wide-area coverage is limited. Land subsidence distribution is demarcated using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) time-series data (2015–2022), and integrated with coastal flood susceptibility derived from Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based weights to model impacts on land cover. Results indicate maximum subsidence rates of 46 mm/year (descending orbit) and 61 mm/year (ascending orbit); reflecting a gradual increase in subsidence trends with an average rate of 13 mm/year. In the worst-case scenario, within the ICZM area of 2262 km², nearly 12% of the total built-up land cover with the highest population density is exposed to land subsidence, while exposure to coastal floods is relatively larger, covering nearly 34% of the built-up area. Almost 27% of the built-up area is exposed to the combined effects of both land subsidence and coastal floods, under present sea level conditions, with increasing risks of coastal floods over 2040, 2050 and 2100, due to both combinations. This research prioritizes areas for further study and provides a scientific foundation for resilience strategies aimed at ensuring sustainable coastal development within the ICZM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Coastal Engineering)

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25 pages, 4591 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Response Analysis of a New Combined Concept of a Spar Wind Turbine and Multi-Section Wave Energy Converter Under Operational Conditions

by Jiahao Xu, Ling Wan, Guochun Xu, Jianjian Xin, Wei Shi, Kai Wang and Constantine Michalides

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081538 - 11 Aug 2025

To achieve the ‘zero carbon’ target, offshore renewable energy exploration plays a key role in many countries. Offshore wind energy and wave energy are both important offshore renewable energies. With the target to reduce the cost of energy, a new combined wind and [...] Read more.

To achieve the ‘zero carbon’ target, offshore renewable energy exploration plays a key role in many countries. Offshore wind energy and wave energy are both important offshore renewable energies. With the target to reduce the cost of energy, a new combined wind and wave energy converter is proposed in this work. The new concept consists of a spar-type floating wind turbine and a multi-section pitch-type wave energy converter (WEC). The WEC is attached to the spar column and consists of multiple sections with different lengths to absorb wave energy at different wave frequencies, i.e., multi-band absorption. Through multi-band wave energy absorption, the total power is expected to increase. In addition, through synergetic design, the dynamic motions of the platform are expected to decrease. In this paper, a fully coupled numerical model of the concept is established, based on the hybrid time–frequency-domain simulation framework. The frequency-domain hydrodynamic properties were transferred to the time domain. Then, the dynamic performance of the combined concept under wind–wave conditions was studied, especially under operational conditions. Mechanical couplings among multiple floating bodies were taken into account. To demonstrate the WEC effects on the floating wind turbine, the dynamic performance of the combined wind–wave energy converter concept was compared with the segregated floating wind turbine, with a focus on motions and output power. It was expected that the average overall output power of the multi-section WEC could be above 160 kW. The advantages of the combined concept are demonstrated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimized Design of Offshore Wind Turbines)

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