RATE OF TURN INDICATOR

ROTI indicates the instantaneous rate at which the ship is turning.

This indicator is fed with 60 to 200 pulses per minute from the steering
repeater and from this input it works out the instantaneous rate of turn.
The dial is usually marked 0 to 60 degs per minute on either side (P&S).
As per IMO standard, the dial should be marked not less than 0 to 30 degs
per minute on either side and graduated in intervals of 1deg per minute.

When the ship turns, she actually traverses some distance round the arc of a
circle and cannot execute sharp turns about a point. To enable a ship to
execute a turn or an alteration of course, the ROTI is very useful.

As per SOLAS 2000 amendments chapter V regulations 19.2.9, it is now

mandatory for ships above 50,000 gross tons to have a rate of turn indicator.

As per latest IMO recommendation large course alteration have to be

planned along circular tracks with wheel over point marked and the progress
of the ship continuously monitored.

ROT= V / R degree per minute, where

V is the speed of the vessel over ground and
R is the radius of the turn in nautical miles.

Wheel over point

The wheel should be turned over a point earlier than the point from which
the ship is required to turn.
The distance between WOP and the ship commencing its turn is denoted by
F( 0.1 to 0.2 nm) and depends on “length, beam, displacement, speed, trim
and type of vessel”.

Constant radius turn: The ROT has to be reduced during turning as the speed
reduces while executing a turn

Constant rate of turn: the speed of the ship is assumed to be constant.