Week No.

6
Ship Motion
Filling the Blanks
Find the answer:

1. What are the three rotational degrees arising out of ship motions?
-Yawing (Vertical rotation – Z-axis)
-Rolling (Longitudinal rotation – X-axis)
-Pitching (Transverse rotation – Y-axis)

2. What the three translational degrees arising out of ship motions?

-Heaving (Vertical translation – Z-axis)
-Swaying (Transverse translation – Y-axis)
-Surging (Longitudinal translation – X-axis)

3. Define the X-axis of the Ship motion.

The X-axis runs along the length from the stern towards the fore.Similarly, X-axis
readings also never assume negative values, unless the vessel has been built with a
cruiser stern that juts out beyond the rudder stock.

4. Define the Y-axis of the Ship motion.

The Y-axis runs along the breadth or beam of the ship and is positive towards the
port side. The Y-axis readings can be either positive or negative, depending on
whether the position is on the port or starboard sides.

5. Define the Z-axis of the Ship motion.

The Z-axis runs along the height of the vessel and is positive in an upward
direction.The Z-axis values usually never become negative as the vessel keel is
supposed to be the bottom-most member.

6. What is the cause of Yawing the Ship Motion?

It is brought about by a wave couple that acts perpendicular to the length of the
ship. In general, it is impossible to keep a straight course when there are waves
present, and there is always a small amount of yaw action on the ship.

7. What is the cause of Pitching the Ship Motion?

It is due to rotation occurring about a transverse axis, equivalent to an axis
parallel to the Y-axis. Pitching is often the most common type of ship motion that
is rotational in nature and is prevalent in the open ocean and during poor weather
conditions.