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

Propeller
Rudder
Bow
Thruster/APU
Mooring Lines
Anchors
Tugs

Uncontrollable
Wind
Current/Tides
Seas
Water Depth

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

Propeller
Blade
High Pressure

Water Flow

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
Force

Side
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

Acts a wing

Water
Flow

High
Low Pressure
Pressure Area
Area
Rudder
Force

High
Low Pressure Area
Rudder
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
Stem
Forecastle
Hawsepipe
Weather
decks
Draft
Freeboard

Superstructur
e
Pilothouse
Mast
Yardarm
Truck
Stack
Keel

Shaft
Propeller
Rudder
Stern
Transom
Waterline

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

Transfer

Kick

Advance

Advance & Transfer 90

Turn

Shiphandling: Terms

Advance & Transfer 180

Turn

Advanc
e

Transfer

Kick

Shiphandling: Terms

Advance & Transfer 360

Turn

Advanc
e

Transfer

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

After Quarter Forward Quarter

Spring
Spring

Stern
Line

Spring Lines

2 1

After Bow Forward Bow

Spring
Spring

Bow
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:
Slack
Ease
Take to the
capstain
Commands:

Stand by lines
Take in the slack
Take a strain

Heave around
Avast heaving
Hold
Check

Double up
Single up
Take in

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
Trolley

Requires:
MWB / RHIB with boat crew
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
-Course

". . standard rudder. . ."

". . .ten degrees rudder. . ."
". . .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
ships heading
Command: Mark
your head

When given, the

Helm immediately
determines ships
head at the instant of
the command,and
reports it to the
Conn.

Desired
action: Warn
the Helm to
steer more
exactly
Command:
Mind your
helm

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
1/3
5
2/3 10
Std 15
Full 20
Flank
Max
speed

Astern
Bell
Speed
1/3
5
2/3
10
Full
Max

Shiphandling: Standard Commands

ENGINE ORDERS
Format

Example

-Engines
-Direction

All engines. . ."

". . 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
Ship
Ship
Ship

follows the rudder:

will tend into the wind:
will tend to port very easily
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 tieup
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 redover-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

Kicks Stern Away

Man Overboard
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

- slow
- good for night
or low vis

port

60 deg

starboard

Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

Anderson Turn

Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

maneuvering
Anderson
port
- fastest
- most skill

starboard

Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

Racetrack Turn

Shiphandling: Man Overboard Recovery

maneuvering
Race track
- high speed
- easier approach

port

starboard

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
racetrack

port

starboard