Ariadna Pons Forn MSc Maritime Engineering Science / Yacht and Small Craft, 2016
The staff are always so keen to book facilities for you. It’s fantastic to work with the University in this sense because they help to provide everything that you need for your research.
Why did you choose to study at Southampton?
Before coming here I had a clear idea of what I wanted to study. I knew that the University of Southampton was one of the best universities to study a Naval Architecture masters. It was almost decided for me! I wanted to do the best course, so I applied, and was pleased to be accepted.
What’s been the best part of your time studying here?
I think the best part of this course has been the pressure of the work. Lecturers will say ‘this work has to be submitted in two days’, so it’s challenging and fast paced. You don’t have time to be lazy! In the first term, this was quite difficult, but you get into a rhythm of working hard. I think that this is good for me. At first, it might seem difficult, but when you feel that you are working so hard, and can work hard, it’s actually one of the best parts of the course.
What is research your project about?
I am studying curved sailing hydrofoils, measuring the deflection and their performance in working conditions. I will run the towing tank to see how much the hydrofoil deflects in working conditions using Digital Image Correlation method. A lot of research that has been done in this area previously has taken place in a wind tunnel, which allows you to see what happens in air conditions and I will apply this under the water. It’s sometimes tricky, because of the reflection of the water, but I think I am working well.
Have you found the facilities at Southampton useful for your project?
One of the best parts about this course is that you have very good facilities available here at the University. I come from Barcelona in Catalonia and we don’t have access to the kind of high performance facilities which you can use here. The staff are always so keen to book facilities for you. It’s fantastic to work with the University in this sense because they help to provide everything that you need for your research. If they don’t have something you need, they will arrange to get it, or enable you to go elsewhere to use other facilities. It’s like a dream to work here!
What are your plans after your MSc?
I would like to work as a Naval Architect in the sailing yacht industry. I know that it’s a very small sector of the industry. I am kind of open as to when to start, to get to know the market and to see what different areas I can enter into. This course provides me with knowledge of the different areas I can work with, such as performance analysis and design. Even though this course has given me the tools to know a little bit about what I like and what I don’t, I think that I have to be working in industry to know exactly what I like and what I’m passionate about. I My first idea is to design a high performance sailing yacht, so let’s see!