With steady sternway, where is the ship's pivot point located?

Master the Navigation, Seamanship, and Shiphandling (NSS) – Officer of the Deck (OOD) Phase 2 Exam with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare comprehensively for your test!

Multiple Choice

With steady sternway, where is the ship's pivot point located?

Pivot point is the instantaneous center of rotation when the ship turns. With steady sternway, the hydrodynamic forces and propulsive action shift the turning axis toward the bow, so the vessel tends to rotate about a point that is forward of the stern. The typical, useful rule is about one-quarter of the ship’s length forward from the stern. This is why the pivot point sits there rather than at midships or at the bow.

Pivot point is the instantaneous center of rotation when the ship turns. With steady sternway, the hydrodynamic forces and propulsive action shift the turning axis toward the bow, so the vessel tends to rotate about a point that is forward of the stern. The typical, useful rule is about one-quarter of the ship’s length forward from the stern. This is why the pivot point sits there rather than at midships or at the bow.

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