Over 60 members of the fluid structure interactions group attended the annual summer awayday at the Wide lane sports ground. As part of the event the annual staff-student cricket match took place although was rained off after the PhD students had made an impressive start with their batting especially given only their team captain had ever played cricket before they came to Southampton. The staff side fielded well and were ably assisted by some of the undergraduate summer interns some of whom had played cricket before! The afternoon started with an excellent BBQ provided by Uptons and it was disappointing that the rain came in at 4pm to curtail the game. This annual match has been played for well over three decades originating as a game between ship science staff and the 2nd year undergraduates but more recently has evolved into an opportunity for all staff and phd students to get together.

July saw over 70, year 12 students visit and stay at the University to learn about Ship Science.
The Design Triathlon Summer School saw students design, build, test and race speedboats – learning all about hydrostatics, hydrodynamics and the design process. While the Marine headstart course saw students design, build and test tidal turbines – learning all about renewables, ship science and marine engineering.
Thanks to all those or participated and helped out over the week – it was great fun for all – just see the pictures and videos!
If you would like to know more about these courses and engineering outreach at the University of Southampton be sure to check out:
http://www.etrust.org.uk/marine-engineering-and-nautical-science-southampton
http://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/outreach/index.page

Just a quick series of videos demonstrating the initial use of the waves in the new hydromechanics basin at Southampton.
a) a large regular wave
b) oblique waves
c) an on-board view
d) moored frigate model in severe seas
Many thanks to Dr’s Bennett and Downes for running these tests  and to Dr Bennett in putting these videos together,  along with the rest of the Ship Science team in hosting the Open Day visits on the 3rd and 4th July. The next University open days at which the tank will be available for a visit is on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September. Please remember to register via the University open day website. For those with an interest in general engineering, aeronautical or mechanical engineering you can also sign up to visit the ship science activities.