FORMAL SOLUTION OF SHIP WEATHER ROUTING PROBLEM VIA PONTRYAGIN’S MAXIMUM PRINCIPLE

Abstract

The paper presents a formulation of a general optimal control problem together with the main tool for finding its solutions - the Pontryagin’s maximum principle. Zermello’s problem of optimal ship routing in an area of drift currents is also outlined as an exemplary task of this class. A numerical solution for the case of vortex-type current field is presented and explained, and a short discussion of obtained results is given.