Shiphandling/Watchstanding

Seminar II
 Lesson Contents
Shiphandling Theory
Laws of Motion
Controllable Forces
Uncontrollable Forces

Shiphandling
Terminology
Ground Tackle
Getting Underway
Single Screw Characteristics
Twin Screw Characteristics
Tug Handling
Man Overboard Recovery
 Shiphandling Theory:
Motion
Various forces acting on the ship
create movement.
Newtons Laws of Motion
1. Unless acted upon by an outside
force:
An object in motion tends to stay in motion.
An object at rest tends to stay at rest.
2. The resulting motion of an object is
the sum of all forces acting on it.
3. Every action has an equal and
opposite reaction.
 Shiphandling Theory:
Forces
Controllable Uncontrollable
Propeller Wind
Rudder Current/Tides
Bow Seas
Thruster/APU Water Depth
Mooring Lines
Anchors
Tugs
Controllabl
e Forces
Controllable
Forces
Propellers
Provides the most important
source of force on a ship.
(Usually) makes ship go forward.
Most ships have 2 propellers.
Aircraft carriers / Patrol Craft have
4.
Frigates have 1.
Controllable
Forces
Propellers
Forces resulting from the use of
the propellers:
Forward (or reverse) thrust
Side Force
Controllable
Forces
Propeller Thrust
A result of the propeller spinning
on its shaft.

Caused by a pressure differential

between the opposite sides of the
propeller blade.
Controllable
Forces
Propeller Thrust

Resulting Thrust

Low Pressure
Water Flow
Propeller
Blade
High Pressure
Rotation of
propeller blade
Controllable
Forces
Controlling Propeller
Thrust
Depends on type of propellers
Fixed Pitch Propellers
Controllable Pitch Propellers
Controllable
Forces
Controllable Pitch
Propellers
Found on all gas turbine ships and
some diesel amphibs

0 - 12 kts
shaft rotates at 55 RPM
thrust (speed) controlled by changing
the pitch of the propeller blade
Controllable
Forces
Controllable Pitch
Propellers
>12 kts
thrust controlled by changing the
speed (RPM) of the shaft.

The shaft always spins in same

direction whether going forward or
backward.
Controllable
Forces
Fixed Pitch Propellers
Found on steam ships (carriers, subs,
amphibs)

Cannot change pitch of propeller

Thrust (speed) controlled by changing

speed of the shaft

To go backwards, must stop shaft and

spin the shaft in the opposite direction.
Controllable
Forces
Side Force
Causes stern to move sideways in
the direction of propeller rotation.

Propeller
Controllable
Forces Side Force
Side Side
Force Force

Single Screw Astern Ahead

Going Ahead Twin Screw

Side
Force

Bottom
Controllable
Forces
Screw Current
Consists of two parts
Suction Current - going into the
propeller
Discharge Current (Prop Wash)-
comes out of the propeller
Suction Current Discharge Current

Acts on Rudder

Propeller
Controllable
Forces
Rudders
Used to control ships heading by
moving the stern.

To have an effect, must have a flow

of water across the rudder.

Normally this flow of water is the

discharge current of the screw.
Controllable
Forces
Rudder
Water
Acts a wing Flow

High
Low Pressure
Pressure Area
Area High
Low Pressure Area

Rudder Rudder
Force Force
Controllable
Forces
Propellers / Rudders
Primary means of controlling the
stern

Thrust

Side Force

Rudder Force
Controllable
Forces
Pivot Point
Imaginary point on the ships
centerline about which the ship
pivots

Pivot Point
Thrust
Side Force
Rudder Force
Controllable
Forces

Pivot Point

Ship twisting with no way on.

Controllable
Forces
Pivot Point
Usually located 1/3 the length of
the ship from the bow. (Just behind
the bridge.)

Pivot point is not fixed

Controllable
Forces
Forces which affect
location of the Pivot Point
Headway or Sternway
Ships Speed

Anchors
Mooring Lines
Tugs
Uncontrollable
Forces
Wind
Acts on the sail area of the ship
Exposed superstructure
Hull structure

Ships tend to back into the wind

30kts of wind = 1kts of current
Current
Acts on the underwater part of the
ship.
Creates set and drift.
Uncontrollable
Forces
Depth of Water
Squat - Occurs a high speeds
bow of a ship rides up onto the bow
wave
stern of a ship tends to sink

Shallow water effects.

Shiphandling

SHIP TERMINOLOGY
Bow Superstructur Shaft
Stem e Propeller
Forecastle Pilothouse Rudder
Hawsepipe Mast Stern
Weather Yardarm Transom
decks Truck Waterline
Draft Stack
Freeboard Keel
Shiphandling

SHIP TERMINOLOGY
Shiphandling: Terms

Turning Circle: The path described by a

ships pivot point as it executes a 360 turn.

Tactical Diameter (180)

Final Diameter (360)
Shiphandling: Terms

Turning Circle

Kick
Final Diameter
Tactical Diameter
Shiphandling: Terms

Advance and Transfer

Advance
Distance gained toward the direction of
the original course after the rudder is put
over.

Transfer
Distance gained perpendicular to the
original course after the rudder is put
over.
Shiphandling: Terms
Advance & Transfer 90
Turn

Advance
Transfer

Kick
Shiphandling: Terms
Advance & Transfer 180
Turn

Transfer

Advanc
e
Kick
Shiphandling: Terms
Advance & Transfer 360
Turn
Transfer

Advanc
e

Kick
Shiphandling: Terms

Headway
moving forward thru the water
Sternway
moving backwards thru the water
Bare Steerageway
the minimum speed a ship can
proceed and still maintain course
using the rudders
Shiphandling: Ground Tackle, Mooring Lines

Mooring Lines

6 5 4 3 2 1

After Quarter Forward Quarter After Bow Forward Bow

Spring Spring Spring Spring

Stern Spring Lines Bow

Line Line
Shiphandling: Ground Tackle, Mooring Lines

Mooring Lines
Lines
1-6
Lines 1 and 6 are thicker than others
Mooring procedure
fake out lines
safety brief
heaving lines
Shiphandling: Ground Tackle, Mooring Lines

Mooring Lines
Terms:
Heaving Line
Tattletale
Fenders
Capstan (p. 188 Seamanship)
Rat Guards (p. 175 Seamanship)
Shiphandling: Ground Tackle, Mooring Lines
Sequence:
Stand by lines Slack
Take in the slack Ease
Take a strain Take to the
capstain
Commands:

Heave around Double up

Avast heaving Single up
Hold Take in
Check
Shiphandling: Ground Tackle, Mooring Lines

Safety
Battle dress
Snap back zone
Tugs
Pilots ladder
Shiphandling: Ground Tackle

Deck and Pier Fittings

Shiphandling: Ground Tackle, Anchors

Anchors
Most common anchor
Standard Navy Stockless

Most ships have two

Deep water anchor - 14 shots of chain
Normal anchor - 12 shots of chain

Shot - 15 fathoms (90 feet)

Shiphandling: Ground Tackle, Anchoring

Scope of Chain
15 fathoms

30 fathoms

45 fathoms

60 fathoms
Shiphandling: Ground Tackle, Anchoring

Scope of Chain

Next to Last Shot

Last Shot
Shiphandling: Ground Tackle, Anchoring

Anchoring
Approach
Standby
Let Go the Anchor
Reports
P. 194 (Seamanship)
Anchor watch
Shiphandling: Getting Underway, Mooring

Concerns:
Watch the stern/pier
Watch for other
ships
Winds / Currents
Set on or set off pier?
Using mooring lines
and tugs as
necessary to control
bow / stern
Shiphandling: Getting Underway, Mooring
The Ideal Approach
Approach on a converging course 10
to 20 degrees from the heading of
our berth.
When parallel, swing the rudder
opposite the pier, and stop the ship.
Stop headway by backing outboard
engine.
Walk the ship in by tensioning line
1; twist the stern with the engines.
Shiphandling: Getting Underway, Mooring
Less than Ideal Conditions
Being Set On:
Stop parallel to the pier, with 1/2 a
beam width of open water between
you and the pier.
Allow the current to push you onto the
pier.
Being Set Off:
Make your approach at a larger angle
to the pier at a considerable speed.
Be careful not to part your bow line.
Shiphandling: Getting Underway, Mooring
Easier than anchoring
Buoy held securely by several anchors.
Chance of dragging reduced.

Two methods
Ordinary Requires:
MWB / RHIB with boat crew
Trolley Your ship
A buoy
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

Conning Officer
Drives the ships heading and
speed through standard
commands (orders) to the helm
and leehelm

Helm - controls the rudder

Leehelm - controls the propellers
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

Basic Format
Conning Officer Helm / Leehelm

Command
Verbatim Repeat
back
(Carries out command)

Acknowledges Report
Report
Shiphandling: Standard Commands
HELM CONSOLE
Shiphandling: Standard Commands
ENGINE ORDER
TELEGRAPH
MODERN HELM CONSOLE
Shiphandling: Standard Commands
Direction: Either left, right or
Rudder amidships
Amount: Expressed as a number of
degrees of rudder (10, 15, etc.), or
one of the following: (nominal
values given)
Standard: 15
Full: 30
Hard: 35(maximum rudder angle)
Course: >10 degree change
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

COMMANDS TO THE HELM

Format Example

-Direction "Right. . ."

"Left. . ."
-Amount ". . standard rudder. . ."
". . .ten degrees rudder. . ."
-Course ". . .steady course two zero zero."
". . .steady on course one one five."
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

COMMANDS TO THE HELM

Exception: Course changes of 10 or
less:
For small course changes, a specific
rudder angle is not given. This allows
the Helm to use up to 10 of rudder to
make the course change.
The standard command is:
Direction: Come right/left
Course to steer: Steer course ___
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

OTHER HELM COMMANDS

Desired action: Increase or decrease
rudder angle from a previously ordered
angle
Command:
Increase your rudder to ________
Ease your rudder to _______
Note: Anytime a new rudder angle is
ordered, a steering/steady course must
be repeated if it is desired.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

OTHER HELM COMMANDS

Desired action: Change rudder
angle to an equal amount of
rudder in the opposite direction
Command: Shift your rudder
Note: Again, if desired, course to
steer must be repeated.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

OTHER HELM COMMANDS

Desired action: Steady the ship on
the current heading
Command: Steady as she goes
When given, the Helm immediately
determines ships head at the instant
of the command, and steadies the
ship on that course.
This should normally be given only
with the rudder at or near amidships.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands
OTHER HELM COMMANDS
Desired action:
Determine current Desired
ships heading
action: Warn
Command: Mark the Helm to
your head steer more
When given, the
exactly
Helm immediately
determines ships Command:
head at the instant of Mind your
the command,and helm
reports it to the
Conn.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

HELM REPLY
Whenever an order to the Helm is
given, the Helm repeats the order
back to the Conn verbatim.
This assures the conning officer that
the order was heard and
understood correctly.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

HELM REPLY
Examples:
The Conn orders: Right standard
rudder, steady course 260.
The Helm replies: Right standard
rudder, steady course 260, aye.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

HELM REPLY
Order: Mark your head
Reply: Mark my head, aye. 283.

Order: Mind your helm

Reply: Mind my helm, aye.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

HELM REPLY
If the helm does not understand an
order from the Conn, the helm will
reply:
Orders to the helm
The Conn should immediately check
his/her order and restate it clearly to
the Helm.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

REPORT &
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Once a desired action is complete,
the Helm reports it to the Conn.
The Conn acknowledges all reports
with Very well
If the Conn does not acknowledge
a report, the Helm should repeat
the report until acknowledged.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

EXAMPLES
Order: Right standard rudder, steady
course 298.
Reply: Right standard rudder, steady
course 298, aye.
Report: Sir, my rudder is right
standard, coming to new course
298.
Report: Sir, steady on course 298,
checking 309.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

EXAMPLES
Order: Come left, steer course 345.
Reply: Come left, steer course 345,
aye.
Report: Sir, my rudder is left 5,
coming to new course 345.
Report: Sir, steady on course 345,
checking 352.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

EXAMPLES
Order: Right full rudder.
Reply: Right full rudder, aye.
Report: Sir, my rudder is right full,
no new course given.
Report: Passing 230 to the right.
Order: Belay your passing heads.
Reply: Belay my passing heads,
aye.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

EXAMPLES
Order: Ease your rudder to right 15.
Reply: Ease my rudder to right 15,
aye.
Report: Maam, my rudder is right
15, no new course given.
Order: Steady course 143.
Reply: Steady course 143, aye.
Report: Maam, my rudder is right
15, coming to new course 143.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

EXAMPLES
Order: Hard left rudder.
Reply: Hard left rudder, aye.
Report: Sir, my rudder is left 35, no
new course given.
Order: Shift your rudder.
Reply: Shift my rudder, aye.
Report: Sir, my rudder is right 35,
no new course given.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands
EXAMPLES
Order: Right full rudder.
Reply: Right full rudder, aye.
Report: Sir, my rudder is right 30, no new
course given.
Order: Rudder amidships
Reply: Rudder amidships, aye.
Report: Sir, my rudder is amidships, no new
course given.
Order: Steady as you go.
Reply: Steady as you go, aye. Course 098.
Report: Steady on course 098, checking
107.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

ENGINE ORDERS
For fixed pitch propellers, ship speed is
dependent on shaft rpm only.
For controllable pitch propellers, ship
speed is dependent on shaft rpm and,
below about 12 knots, propeller blade
pitch.
For gas turbines, the shaft is always
spinning when the engine is on line. All
engines stop is achieved by a blade pitch
of 0.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

ENGINE ORDERS
Prescribed standard speeds are
predetermined ships speeds:
Standard speed - normally 15 knots
1/3 - one third of standard speed
2/3 - two thirds of standard speed
Full - speed higher than standard
speed
Flank - maximum speed
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

ENGINE ORDERS
Typical Prescribed
Standard Speeds
Ahead
Bell Speed Astern
1/3 5 Bell
Speed
2/3 10
1/3 5
Std 15
2/3 10
Full 20
Flank Max
Full Max
speed
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

ENGINE ORDERS
Format Example

-Engines All engines. . ."

-Direction ". . ahead full. . ."
". . .back 2/3. . ."
-Speed ". . indicate 108 revolutions for 15
knots."
". . .indicate 072 revolutions and
20% pitch for 3 knots."
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

ENGINE ORDERS
Engines: Port, starboard, or all engines.
Unnecessary for single screw ships.

Direction: Ahead, back or stop, and

nearest standard speed (except for
stop)
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

ENGINE ORDERS
Speed:
..indicate ____ turns for __ knots., OR
..indicate turns for __ knots.
For controllable pitch propellers below
12 knots:
..indicate ___ turns and __% pitch for __
knots.
OR, ..indicate pitch and turns for __ knots.
-Note: If proceeding at a prescribed
standard speed, none of this is required.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

MANEUVERING COMBINATIONS
In maneuvering situations, where
frequent engine changes are expected,
the Conning Officer may set
maneuvering combinations.
When set, the Lee Helm answers all
bells at the prescribed standard speed
increment.
On ships with an EOT, this is indicated
by an RPM setting of 999.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

REPLIES AND REPORTS

Reply: Verbatim repeatback is required.
Reports: Lee Helm reports when action
is completed.
Note: Every report must include the
complete status of all engines, even if only
one was changed.
Acknowledgement: Conn will
acknowledge all reports with Very
well
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

EXAMPLES
Order: All engines ahead standard,
indicate 115 revolutions for 16 knots.
Reply: All engines ahead standard,
indicate 115 revolutions for 16 knots,
aye.
Report: Maam, engine room answers
all engines ahead standard, indicating
115 revolutions for 16 knots.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

EXAMPLES
(Continued from previous slide)
Order: Indicate 122 revolutions for 17
knots.
Reply: Indicate 122 revolutions for 17
knots, aye.
Report: Maam, engine room answers
all engines ahead standard, indicating
122 revolutions for 17 knots.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

EXAMPLES
Order: Port engine ahead 1/3,
starboard engine back 2/3.
Reply: Port engine ahead 1/3,
starboard engine back 2/3, aye.
Report: Maam, engine room
answers port engine ahead 1/3,
starboard engine back 2/3.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

EXAMPLES
(Continued from previous slide)
Order: Starboard engine stop.
Reply: Starboard engine stop, aye.
Report: Maam, engine room
answers starboard engine stop,
port engine ahead 1/3.
Shiphandling: Standard Commands

EXAMPLES
Order: All engines ahead 1/3, indicate
pitch and turns for 5 knots.
Reply: All engines ahead 1/3, indicate
pitch and turns for 5 knots, aye.
Report: Sir, engine room answers all
engines ahead 1/3, indicating 075
turns and 34% pitch for 5 knots.
Shiphandling: Single Screw Ships
Ship Ahead
Propeller Ahead
Rudder Amidships
Shiphandling: Single Screw Ships
Ship Astern
Propeller Astern
Rudder Amidships

Ship follows the rudder:

Ship will tend into the wind:
Ship will tend to port very easily
Ship does not tend to starboard easily
Shiphandling: Single Screw Ships
Ship Ahead
Propeller Astern
Rudder Amidships
Shiphandling: Twin Screw Ships
Ship Ahead
Both Propellers Ahead
Shiphandling: Twin Screw Ships
Ship Ahead
One Propeller Trailing

Counteract with rudder

Shiphandling: Twin Screw Ships
Ship Astern
One Propeller Trailing

Counteract with rudder

Shiphandling: Twin Screw Ships
Ship Ahead
Both Propellers Ahead Different Speeds

Counteract with rudder

Shiphandling: Twin Screw Ships
Propellers Split
Shiphandling: Tug Tie-Ups

Single Headline
Simplest Tie-up

Best to allow tug to

push or pull only

Not good if
complex tug
maneuvers
required.
Shiphandling: Tug Tie-Ups

Double Headline
Not as simple

Allows tug to push

or pull and
complex tug
maneuvers
Shiphandling: Tug Tie-Ups

Power
Most versatile tie-
up

Good for general

purpose use

Holds tug
securely to ship.
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

Recovery Maneuvers
Williamson Turn
Anderson Turn
Race Track
Y-Turn
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

Easiest Method?
Daylight: Anderson
Night: Williamson
Subs: Y backing
Carriers: Racetrack

Boat / Helo?
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

Recovery considerations
Helicopter
average time to ready for takeoff is
10-12 mins

Small boat
average time to launch 6-8 mins

Ship
fastest method
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

Small Boat Considerations

PPE for boat crews
manning
coxswain
bow hook
corpsman
boat officer
signalman
SAR swimmer
3-5 knots; no sternway
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery
Initial Actions
Applicable for all recoveries:
Full rudder to side of ship where person fell
overboard.
Full speed.
Throw smoke float, life ring
Keep in sight
Pass the word
6 short blasts
Mark on chart
Man Boat Deck
Notify other ships, Helos
Receive muster report
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery
Follow-on actions
Notify Captain, TAO and Flag
Hoist Oscar flag (day); turn on red-
over-red pulsating (night)
Notify other ships in company
Gather Vitals from CIC
Time in water
Water temp and stay time
Bearing and range to man
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

Man Overboard
Kicks Stern Away Starboard Side

Right Full Rudder

All Engines Ahead Full

Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

Williamson Turn

Shift Rudder
When 60 Off Course
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

maneuvering
Williamson

port 60 deg starboard

- slow

- good for night

or low vis
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

Anderson Turn
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

maneuvering
Anderson

port starboard

- fastest

- most skill
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

Racetrack Turn
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

maneuvering
Race track

- high speed
port starboard
- easier approach
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

Y-Turn
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

maneuvering
Y-backing

- poor control

- keeps ship
close to man
Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

maneuvering
tear drop

- Carriers
modified starboard
port
racetrack