Dynamic responses of floating fish cage in waves and current

This paper studies dynamic responses of the semi-immerged floater and the fish cage system consisting of the floater and nets in waves and currents. The net and floater is modeled by truss and beam element respectively, where the corresponding geometry nonlinearity in the deformations and motions is considered. A “Buoyancy Distribution” method is developed to address the instantaneous buoyancy on the floater in waves. Particularly, the motions of the flexible floater and the net volume reduction in different wave and current conditions are investigated. The effects of the interactions between the net and floater on the dynamics of the system are also studied. Additionally, the effects of the net drag forces on the dynamic responses of the fish cage system are investigated. •A “Buoyancy Distribution” method is developed to consider the instantaneous buoyancy acted on the floater in waves.•The motions of the flexible floater and the net volume reduction under different wave and current conditions are investigated.•The effects of the interactions between the motions of the net and floater on the dynamic responses of the system are studied.•The effects of the net drag forces on the dynamic responses of the fish cage system are investigated.