University of Southampton Towing Tank
University of SouthamptonSouthampton
NWTF lists the University of Southampton Towing Tank as a facility at Southampton Boldrewood Innovation Campus. Its current page says the tank supports teaching, research and commercial clients, including conventional ship model testing and work across aerospace, energy and transportation sectors.
Reviewed by Arc · About this review
Key facts
- Published facility identity and location
- NWTF identifies the University of Southampton Towing Tank as a facility at Southampton Boldrewood Innovation Campus, shared by the University with Lloyd’s Register’s Global Technology Centre.
- Published use and access statement
- NWTF says the tank supports teaching, research and commercial clients, and that it is available for hire for external companies.
Testing capabilities
Towing and wave-tank testing
NWTF says the tank supports conventional ship model testing and lists a passive beach, active wave makers with 12 paddles that can generate regular and irregular sea states, and a deployable side beach to damp waves rapidly between runs.
Model measurement and flow visualisation
The facility page lists motion capture for towed and free-running models above and under water, propeller dynamometers, an open-water rig, ultrasonic wave probes, and underwater PIV and LDV systems.
Equipment and published limits
| Specification | Published value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Published tank dimensions and maximum carriage speed | 138 m × 6 m × 3.5 m tank with 0.5 m free board; 10 m/s maximum carriage speed | These are published facility figures. Confirm the usable model envelope, water depth, carriage configuration, wave conditions, measurement setup and applicable test conditions for a particular programme. |
| Published wave-maker maximum amplitude | 12 active wave-maker paddles; regular and irregular sea states; 0.5 m maximum amplitude | NWTF says the 12 active wave-makers can generate regular and irregular sea states with a 0.5 m maximum amplitude across a wide range of model-scale wave frequencies. It is not presented as a general or guaranteed test condition. |
Access and contact
NWTF’s towing-tank page says the facility is available to industry and academic users and links to its contact route. The NWTF contact page invites facilities enquiries and asks for requested facility type, model dimensions, measurements, testing days and preferred timing. Confirm technical suitability, availability, safety requirements, price, lead time and acceptance directly with NWTF.
Facility contact
- Address
- Southampton
United Kingdom - Website
- Official test house website
Standards and accreditation
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
What to confirm with the facility
- Published tank dimensions, carriage speed and wave-maker amplitude do not establish the usable conditions for a particular model, measurement plan, wave profile or test configuration. Confirm those details with the facility.
Before requesting a test
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Related testing facilities
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Further reading
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Sources and review
Arc reviewed the linked NWTF facility and contact pages on 30 September 2026 by direct HTTP retrieval. This is a review of published information, not a facility inspection, test witnessing or confirmation of availability. Confirm model suitability, technical conditions and scheduling with NWTF.
Arc publishes this directory entry and does not operate the test facility. Suggest a correction to Arc with a supporting source.
University of Southampton Towing Tank
NWTF’s current facility page is used for the tank identity, owner, location, published use, dimensions, carriage speed, testing capabilities, listed equipment and external-hire statement. It does not state accreditation, a booking commitment, availability, price, lead time or acceptance for a particular programme.
NWTF’s current contact page provides a facilities-enquiry route and lists information it asks prospective users to provide. It does not confirm availability or acceptance at this specific facility.