Movement in a non-inertial referential

[Vitor]

Homework Statement

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/9638/coisadovitor.jpg

You have all the freedom to make any assumption to solve the problem. All 3 kinds of movement must be considered (roll, sway, heave). Variables are up to you.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I tried to solve it by considering it an harmonic system.

 

[OldEngr63]

It is not clear what is depicted in the upper right part of the figure. Is that a fixed pole with the mass supported on a cable from the bottome of the pole? What is the solid, angled line from the top of the pole to the ship? What is the coordinate theta supposed to represent?

Whatever this system is, it looks like you have at least 4DOF involved, so it is going to be a bit messy.