Dr Kim Klaka

Biography

Dr Kim Klaka was the Director of the Centre for Marine Science and Technology from 2004 - 2011. He was responsible for management and leadership of the Centre, project management, educational developments, supervision of postgraduate research students and execution of government and industry sponsored research projects in naval architecture and related hydrodynamics. He is a Member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, and the Institution of Engineers Australia.

Areas of expertise

Naval architecture, hydrodynamics.

Recent relevant assignments

Ship Operations – leader of under-keel clearance projects.
Ship Motion Control – development of gyro stabiliser for small ships.
Vessel motions prediction – investigation of viscous flow around appendages undergoing roll motion.

Experience

2004-present Director, Centre for Marine Science & Technology
2004-2007: Director, Sea Gyro Pty Ltd
1992-1999: Regional Manager, Program Leader and Task Leader, AME CRC
1987-2004: Senior Research Fellow, Curtin University
1978-1984: Lecturer, Southampton Institute
1974-1978: Naval architect, small craft design and construction.

Selected Publications

• Klaka, K., Penrose, J.K., Horsley, R.R., Renilson, M.R. (2007) "Hydrodynamic Tests on a Plate in Forced Oscillation", Ocean Engineering 34, pp 1225-1234.
• Gourlay, T., Klaka, K., (2007) "Full-scale Measurements of Containership Sinkage, Trim and Roll", Australian Naval Architect Vol. 11, No. 2, pp 30-36.
• Klaka, K., Penrose, J.D., Horsley, R.R. & Renilson, M.R., (2005) "Hydrodynamic Tests on a Fixed Plate in Uniform Flow", Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 30. pp. 131-139.
• Klaka, K., Penrose, J.D., Horsley, R.R., Renilson, M.R. (2004) "Roll Motion of Yachts at Zero Number", International Journal of Small Craft Technology, Vol. 146, Part B2, pp.2-15, The Transactions of The Royal Institution of Naval Architects.
• Klaka, K. and Renilson, M. (2004) "Experimental Study on the Influence of Appendages on a Yacht Rolling at Zero Froude Number ", Marine Technology, Vol. 41, No. 4, October 2004, pp. 200-206, SNAME. (256kB pdf).
• Klaka, K., Thomas, G., Couser, P. (2000) "An introduction to Seakeeping Analysis" CD-ROM Formation Designs Pty Ltd., Fremantle/Curtin University, Perth.
• Cook, S., Couser, P., Klaka, K. (1999) "Investigation into Wave Loads and Catamarans", Hydrodynamics of High Speed Craft Conference, London, UK, 24-25 November 1999.
• Binns, J.R., Klaka, K.P., McRae, B., Dovell, A. (1998) "Windward Performance of the AME CRC Systematic Yacht Series", RINA International Conference on The Modern Yacht, Portsmouth, UK, March 1998.
• Haywood A.J., Duncan A.J., Klaka, K.P., Bennett J. (1995) "The Development of a Ride Control System for Fast Ferries", Control Engineering Practice, Vol. 3, No. 5, pp. 695-702.
• Boyd, J., Klaka, K., Thomas, G.A. (1995) "Analysis of Non-Linear Vessel Motions: Experiments and Predictions", R.I.N.A. Seakeeping and Weather Conference, London.
• Sterling, D., Klaka, K.P. (1993) "Hydrodynamic Design of Otter Boards for Prawn Trawlers", Shipshape 2000 Conference (10th International Maritime and Shipping Symposium), Sydney.
• Klaka, K., Webb, G.A. (1992) "The Motions of Ships in Shallow Water", 11th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Hobart.
• Klaka, K.P., Penrose J.D., Longstaff I.D. (1991) "Development of an Innovative Ocean Wave Measuring Device", Australian Physical Oceanography Conference, ADFA, Canberra.