A numerical model analysis was performed to analyze the motion and mooring tension response of submersible fish cage systems in irregular waves and currents. Two systems were examined: a submersible cage mooring with a single, high tension mooring and the same system, but with an additional three point mooring. Using a Morison equation type model, simulations of the systems were conducted with the cage at the surface and submerged. Irregular waves(JONSWAP spectrum) with and without a co-linear current with a magnitude of 0.5m/s were simulated into the model as input parameters. Surge, heave and pitch dynamic calculations were made, along with tension responses in the mooring lines. Results were analyzed in both the time and frequency domains and linear transfer functions were calculated.

The expansion of near shore aquaculture is feasibility of moving aquaculture facilities into the open ocean. Numerical modeling technique using finite element method was used to enable the optimum design and evaluation of submersible aquaculture cage system. The characteristics of mooring loads response in mooring lines under waves and current and their response amplitude operators were calculated for single and three point mooring configuration at the surface condition and submerged one. The static mooring loads without wave and current loading were similar for both the surface and submerged configuration. It was calculated that three point mooring was more adequate than single point mooring for the mooring configuration of submersible aquaculture cage system. The wave induced response amplitude operators for the single point mooring configuration with the influence of currents were identical to those without the influence of currents.