Objectives To address the defect that the empirical formula of sea-spray flux depends on observation data from specific ships, this study proposes a correction method for the empirical formula of sea-spray flux on polar ship decks.

Methods By analyzing the parameter characteristics of the empirical formula, it is proposed to modify the empirical formula of sea spray flux using numerical solutions of sea-spray flux for different ship types and corresponding environmental conditions as inputs. The reliability of the numerical method is verified through numerical wave profile and MFV fishing vessel spray flux calculations. Based on the proposed method, the empirical formulas of sea spray flux for four different ship types, such as bulbous bow, ice-resistant bow, clipper bow and raked bow, are modified.

Results The theoretical and numerical solutions of the empirical formula for fishing vessel spray flux are in good agreement. The spray duration coefficients for the other four ship types are similar to each other, and the liquid water content coefficient is similar to the coefficient in the existing empirical formula.

Conclusions The results show that the proposed method has the ability to correct the empirical formula of sea-spray flux for different ship types.