Introduction to “Manoeuvring Interaction-Aware”

The current, the wind, the power of the tugs, the effects of the propeller, and the special rudders are just some of the elements involved in manoeuvring. Still, there are also actions and reactions of the fenders, hydrodynamic thrusts, pressure of the wakes, bank effects—all forces acting on the moving vessel. Their value is enormous, and they can influence the manoeuvre by avoiding or exploiting them to our advantage.

In this course, we will find out what it is. We will see how ships interact when they navigate the canal, overtake or meet each other. How to approach a quay and the effects of moving too close to a bank. How to use the cushion effect to go around a bend, etc.

This course aims not to teach piloting but to provide some judgment tools to future pilots to realise that there are not always visible or intuitive forces.

As is our style, we will tackle theoretical topics in the simplest way possible and then go into the most exciting part of our job to understand what we experience in reality when we move ‘tons of iron’ within our ports.

The art of manoeuvring comes from study and experience – and experience from practice.