Martyn Prince
Principal Consultant Engineer
Martyn has been at the Wolfson Unit since 1999, where he joined following completion of a PhD focussed on Ship Motions and Control. Before that, a BSc degree in Yacht and Small Craft Design and a MSc in Naval Architecture set him up for a career path influenced by sailing yachts and marine vessels.
His first 10 years at the Unit were focussed on experimental model scale testing of sailing yachts both in towing tanks and wind tunnels. This ranged from IMS, Open 60 and America’s Cup race programs to the ever increasing growth in size of superyachts. Combined with this came the development of new testing techniques and methodologies, design and implementation of new testing equipment and performance prediction tools.
In 2005, Martyn and Sandy started providing the aerodynamic/wind tunnel testing as a UK Sport Partner for Team GB, focusing on Olympic and Para Olympic disciplines where aerodynamics had a contributing influence on performance, this included Wheelchair Racing, Skeleton Bob and in particular Cycling, as members of the Secret Squirrel Club.
Most recently, he has been focussed on the area of wind assisted shipping performance evaluation, combining his expertise in sailing yacht performance prediction, model scale experimental testing and the Wolfson Unit’s CFD capabilities to provide detailed predictions of ship performance for the assessment of a range of types of wind propulsion devices and designs on commercial vessels.
Martyn has been on a number of industry committees including RYA Technical, RINA Small Craft Group, RORC Technical and was J Class Association Technical Director between 2008 – 2018.
Specialisms:
- Experimental Hydrodynamics and Aerodynamics
- Performance Prediction (Yacht and Wind Assisted Ships)
- Sports Related Testing and Analysis
- Ship Motions
What does your role entail?
Put simply, my role entails a mixed economy of managing and conducting tank and wind based test programmes and performance prediction studies. This ranges from working with clients to design test programmes appropriate for the needs all the way through to analysis and dissemination of the results. As one of the longest serving Engineers, I also have day to day management commitments to support the operation of the Unit as a whole.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I most enjoy the diversity of types of projects that I get involved in. This ranges from wind tunnel to tank testing, full scale trials and desk based studies, on anything from racing yachts, ships, cyclists/athletes, offshore structures, the list goes on. So, there is no chance of getting bored and the ever changing technical challenges keep me on my toes.
What do you see as the Wolfson Unit’s Strengths?
I consider the Unit’s strength to be the range of experience we can bring to bear on a project. We have a large toolbox of techniques and services that we can apply due to the knowledge base within the team, so we have the ability to select the right tool for the job.
Often we have to develop, design and build the tool to do the job, for example, this is why much of are model scale testing dynamometer is built in-house. We are fortunately to be based at the University of Southampton, providing us with the added advantage of use to world class facilities and access to academics and researchers when required for projects that are outside of knowledge base.
Tell us about a project you’re particularly proud of.
I’m particularly proud of the long term relationship we had with UK Sport working with a large range of athletes and being integrated within a team of experts from various disciplines (working in a world of marginal gains) to develop overall performance packages that contributed towards Team GB success at both Summer and Winter Olympic Games.