NS100

Fundamentals of
Naval Science

Shiphandling

Objectives:
1. Understand the effects of controllable and
non-controllable forces in ship handling.
2. Understand the terms associated with tactical
data of a ship.
3. Describe the procedures for mooring to a pier
with no set, on-setting or off-setting wind.

Shiphandling Forces
Shiphandling forces can be classified as one of
two types:
1. Controllable - can be controlled by the
shiphandler.
2. Non-Controllable -cannot be controlled
by the shiphandler.

Shiphandling Forces
CONTROLLABLE FORCES

Lines
Anchors
Tugs
Engines
Rudder

Shiphandling Forces
UNCONTROLLABLE FORCES

Wind
Sea state
Current

Controllable Forces
Lines - Can be used to maneuver a ship as well
as hold position.
Springing - obtaining a side force by
moving forward or aft against a
spring line.
Snubbing - Twisting the bow toward the
pier by taking line 1 or 2 to power.

Controllable Forces
Tugs
- used to maneuver
a ship when in restricted
waters by pushing
or pulling as directed.
Anchors - May be used to pull the ship around.
Using an anchor to maneuver the ship is
referred to as a poor mans tug.

Controllable Forces
Engines - Exert thrust and side force through
the ships propellers.
Thrust - As a propeller turns, the low
pressure on the forward face and high pressure
on the trailing face produce a force, called
thrust, which drives the ship through the water.
Side force - As the lower blades pass
through water with greater pressure, they
produce a side force at low speeds.

Side Forces

Side Force

Visualize
the lower blades walking along the bottom.

SINGLE SCREW SHIPS

Must take propeller
side forces into
account
Ship will back to
port when
operating astern
propulsion

TWIN SCREW SHIPS

Opposing propellers
give greater control
Increased
maneuverability
Handling differences
as compared to a
single screw ship

Shiphandling Terms
Pivot point - Point about which the ship turns
when moving ahead.
Advance - Distance made good in the direction
of the original course when the ship is
turned.
Transfer - Distance made good perpendicular
to the advance.
Transfer
Advance

Shiphandling Terms
Tactical Diameter - Distance made good
perpendicular to original course when
turning to a reverse a heading.

Tactical
Diameter

Shiphandling Terms
Twist - a turn produced by opposing the ships
engines.
Port Twist
Port back 1/3
Starboard Ahead 1/3
Left Full Rudder
(Reverse orders for
Starboard twist)

Thrust
Flow

Mooring to a Pier
1. No set on or off the pier.
a. Approach at 10 to 20 degrees, bare
steerageway.
b. Stop engines and drift closer.
c. Put rudder over away from the pier.
d. Back down as needed to stop forward
motion.

Mooring to a Pier
2. Being set on the pier.
a. Bring the ship to a stop parallel to the
pier, half a beams width away.
b. Let current or wind push the ship in.
c. Use engines to control position along
the pier.
Wind /
Current

Mooring to a Pier
3. Being set off the pier.
a. Approach at faster speed.
b. Put over lines as soon as possible, put
rudder over away from pier to bring in
the stern.
c. Stop headway by backing outboard
engine.

Questions?