Shiphandling

The actual manoeuvring of a vessel by means

of rudder(s), main engine(s), thrusters, anchors,
tugs and other equipment, taking into account
the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

5
Stopping and Slow Speed Control
 Pivot Point

a) Stopped Even Keel

b) Making Headway

+ P
+

1/4 L

c) Making Sternway
+
+
P
+
+
+
1/4 L
 PIVOT POINT
Vessel on even keel

CG Vessel all stopped with centre of

a) Stopped gravity approximately midships
P

b) Making Headway

As vessel starts to make headway

P centre of gravity remains midships
CG
but vessel develops a pivot point
forward due to longitudinal
resistance
¼L

Making Sternway

When the vessel starts to make

CG P sternway the situation is reversed
with the centre of gravity
remaining midships but the pivot
point now moving aft.
¼
L
 Thrusting When Stopped
a) Pivot Point

145m 25m

+ +
b) Creeping Ahead
-

-
 Thrusting With Headway

a) Straight Line
+

25m 150m
 Thrusting With Sternway

a) Pivot Point

125m

b) Turning Moments
P

13T 7T

125m 30m
 TURNING LEVERS AND MOMENTS
Vessel Stopped
P

15 Tonne
15 Tonne P Tug
Tug

Vessel making headway P

P
Vessel making sternway

P
 The Effect of Wind

Vessel stopped in the Centre of

wind effort
water - even keel
Pivot
Point
 The Effect of Wind

Vessel stopped in the

water - even keel
Pivot Centre of
Point wind effort

Very small turning lever

Pivot Point and centre of

wind effect are now
coincident
 The Effect of Wind
Vessel making headway
- even keel
Centre of wind
Pivot Point effort

Turning Lever

Vessel making sternway

- even keel
Centre of wind Pivot Point
effort

Turning Lever
 The Effect of Wind with change of trim

Vessel making headway

- even keel
Centre of wind
Pivot Point effort

Turning Lever

Vessel making headway

- trimmed by stern
Centre of wind
Pivot PointPivot Point
moves effort moves
slightly aft Centre of wind
forward
effort moves
forward

Reduced Turning
Lever
 Cross Channel Ferries
Pride of Le Havre and Pride of Portsmouth
Actual Wind Figures

Beam wind Lateral Wind

velocity (Knots) Force (Tonnes)

10 7
15 16
20 28
25 44
30 64
35 87
40 113
45 143
50 177
55 214
60 255
Length 161 metres Draught 6.4 metres Gross tons 33,336
65 301
 "Approximate Forces"

Wind force in tonnes per Velocity (Metres per second)2

1000 square metres =
18

Example: Typical loaded container ship

Length 294 metres Breadth 32 metres Height 25 metres
 20 knots wind on beam
Area = 294 x 25 =7350 Sq metres
Wind force = (102/18) x 7.35 = 41 tonnes
 20 knots wind on bow (dead ahead)
Area = 32 x 25 =800 Sq metres
Wind force = (102/18) x 0.8 = 4.4 tonnes
 Turning Circles
Deep Water and Shallow Water

Typical figures for a 250,000 dwt VLCC

Length 310 meters (0.16 cables) Draft 20 metres even keel
Fixed pitch right handed prop, Approach speed: Full Ahead

Deep Water Figures Shallow Water Figures

2 4 6 8

Transfer - Cables
Twin Anchor Dredge

Maximum cable length

= Twice water depth
LOSS OF
SLOW
SPEED
CONTROL
MAINTAINING
SLOW SPEED
CONTROL
 VIDEO
SHIP HANDLING
PART 1
TURNING
 DEEP WATER STOPPING
CRASH STOP
full ahead to full astern, starboard turn due to transverse thrust.
Stop in about 7 to 10 ship lengths

INERTIA STOP
just stopping engines, maybe a slight turn to port. Very long
distance and time to come to a full stop

HARD OVER TURN

full rudder angle applied, engines slowed in stages. Maximises use
of hull lateral resistance

LOW FREQUENCY RUDDER CYCLING

port 35, when 40  off heading, stbd 35. When back to original
heading, repeat. Then use engines astern. About 6 ship lengths to
stop. Not good in shallow water

HIGH FREQUENCY RUDDER CYCLING (Fishtailing)

port 35, stbd 35, port 35, stbd 35 ……… Long stopping distance,
ok for shallow water, little deviation from original heading
 VIDEO
SHIP HANDLING
PART 2
STOPPING
 STOPPING

HOW NOT TO DO IT !