Cavitation is a hydrodynamic phenomenon that occurs during the operation of ship propellers when the local pressure in the water falls below the vapor pressure. This leads to the formation of vapor bubbles, which collapse abruptly and generate high local pressure peaks. In ship operation, cavitation can result in noise, vibrations, reduced efficiency, and material stress or erosion on propeller surfaces. In addition, cavitation-related pressure pulsations and load peaks may also increase the mechanical stress on adjacent drivetrain components such as shafts, bearings, seals, and gearboxes.

The relevance of this issue is particularly high for vessels operating under highly dynamic profiles. This includes, for example, ferries in short-route service, where repeated acceleration and deceleration, frequent maneuvering, course corrections, and berthing and unberthing operations continuously alter the operating condition of the propeller. In such applications, control variables such as rotational speed, thrust demand, or azimuth setting have a direct effect on propeller inflow conditions. Even small differences in operation can change the pressure distribution on the propeller blade and increase the likelihood of cavitation-critical conditions.

CaviView is designed as an on-board assistance system for the early identification and avoidance of such operating conditions. Its core approach is not to assess cavitation only retrospectively on the basis of damage or operational symptoms, but to predict cavitation risk during live vessel operation. For this purpose, available vessel measurement and operating data are combined with a physics-based model representing the cavitation-relevant parameters of propeller operation. Based on the interaction of control inputs and the current operating condition, the system generates warnings that indicate an increased probability of cavitation.

The system is intended for integration into existing bridge and control station environments. The cavitation-related information is presented in a way that can be used directly within the operational context. This makes the effect of planned or already executed control inputs on propeller condition more transparent. The objective is not to automate ship handling, but to support bridge personnel by providing real-time, physically based feedback.