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Shiphandling: Letting The Vessel Do The Work
Shiphandling: Letting The Vessel Do The Work
Issue no. 17
Shiphandling
Letting the vessel do the work
Poetry in motion
You may have your certificate of Probably the best way to enhance all of shiphandling skills and encourages
competency, but how confident do you these training methods is to reflect upon individuals to continually develop their
feel to actually handle a ship in confined your experiences with someone with more abilities. Of all the skills a navigator
waters or heavy weather? Could you knowledge than you, to identity what went must have, being able to handle a ship
challenge a Master or Pilot if things well and where improvements can be made. well enough to manage its massive
didn’t look quite right? For many years, To aid this formal practice of reflecting on momentum with limited power and
members of The Nautical Institute have your experiences handling a ship, The to control its movement in crowded
listed ‘improving shiphandling skills’ Nautical Institute has produced an individual waterways with continually changing
as a top priority for their professional logbook that you might like to consider using. environmental influences could be the
development. The problem is, it’s not that Recording your experiences on paper will aid most important.
easy to get experience – and experience your professional development, identify gaps Few people in the world will have the
is the best way to improve. in your knowledge and help justify the need opportunity to handle a massive object like
In this edition of The Navigator for further mentoring and training. a ship in such a dynamic environment with
we explore some basic principles of On page 4 of this issue, Captain Nigel such inherent risks. Good shiphandling
shiphandling and how, as an individual, you Allen uses his considerable experience as is a skill that navigators can be proud
can gain experience and make the most a Master, Pilot and instructor to explore an to achieve. It should be cherished and
of any opportunities to learn. The three understanding of ‘all the forces’ affecting continually refined. If you have good
best ways of learning are: onboard a ship a ship. Question: what turns a ship? The shiphandling skills, please pass these on
in active service, using a simulator or in a rudder? Answer: No, it’s a culmination through mentoring your fellow mariners.
manned model. Of course, learning can of all the forces, internal and external Never stop developing your own abilities
also be achieved by reading books, joining around the pivot point, including the wash and reflecting upon your success. After all,
discussions, undergoing computer-based directed by the rudder. good shiphandling might be the closest
training or even by moving ship-shaped In the article on page 6, Captain we mariners will ever get to achieving
wooden blocks around a table top. George Sangil explains how he values poetry in motion.
A Nautical Institute
project sponsored by
If you would like to get in touch with us, I am a long-term fan of The Navigator, since I I would like to congratulate you on this
please contact the editor, Emma Ward was a deck cadet. Whenever I receive copies excellent edition of The Navigator, especially
of your magazine, I discuss them with my the article An Insider’s Guide to Piloting by Ed
at navigator@nautinst.org, or look out fellow officers and colleagues onboard. Verbeek. Nothing could be more useful for
for the LinkedIn discussion. We look Your issue about ship’s Masters and officers
forward to hearing from you. piloting (issue 16) was than this insight into the way
special because when a Pilot thinks. It should be
I talked about it with compulsory reading for all
my deck officers, navigating officers.
everybody said that the John Simpson, AFNI
magazine improved their
knowledge and gave I am a 22-year-old deck
them more confidence cadet in my last year
to perform their tasks of maritime navigation
during pilotage. We all studies at the Lithuanian
enjoyed reading about Maritime Academy. I am
individual personal writing from Crude Oil M/T
experiences from Pilots. Cape Bellavista, where
Dante Addug, PMMA I am gaining experience
Get the app 2007, Vroon-Fil Ship working with officers and
Management collecting sea-going practice
months for my diploma. This is my second
l am second mate with an ocean-going contract after practice on a ro-ro vessel in
Join the debate on LinkedIn bulk carrier, and enjoy reading what the Black Sea.
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/ The Navigator publishes to promote I hope to continue in a tanker fleet
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Please could you send me a digital Povilas Lubninas, M/T Cape Bellavista
We are active on Facebook version of The Navigator?
https://www.facebook.com/ Yin Benkuan, Second Mate For beginners like me, The Navigator is
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thenauticalinstitute Editor’s note: We would be delighted to maritime world. I believe that work at sea
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Putting The Navigator in
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We appreciate all the pictures
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competitions – please keep them
coming! – but this one really stood out.
Carlos Mauer writes "Starting my LNG
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S
ome of the best shiphandlers I at their last order to figure out the reason ships and, whilst they got there safely, it was
have seen and worked with are for the problem. However, almost always, apparent that they didn’t fully understand
the ones who appear to do the things had been going wrong for some time the principles of shiphandling and so were
least. They let the ship do the beforehand, manifesting itself in the vessel making hard work of it.
work for them and only intervene hitting the jetty. Invariably, too much speed
when the ship departs from their ‘planned or a poor approach will be to blame. Going Principles of shiphandling
track’. In other words, if the ship has some slowly and methodically tends to ensure So, what makes a ship turn? Sounds like
way and you do nothing, it will continue to better results. A calm, measured approach it should be an easy question: the rudder!
travel under its own inertia, sometimes quite will instill confidence in the bridge team and However, it is not that simple. What actually
some distance, before eventually coming get you in the correct position more quickly causes the hull to turn is the water pressure
to a stop. So, by controlling the speed and and with far less drama. around the hull and the difference between
having enough inertia the ship can get to the pressure to port and starboard. By
the berth without too much interference. Knowledge is power using the rudder, we can control this
Having a plan is crucial to success. STCW makes the presumption that you pressure differential and steer the ship. We
Anticipating how the ship will behave will learn from others. However, this means can see that effect in practice by looking
will help you to carry out that plan. It is that you are limited to the extent of their at a directionally unstable ship. A ship is
important to remember that, when berthing knowledge. Many shiphandlers who appear considered directionally unstable if, when 20°
a ship, the faster you go, the longer the to know what they are doing cannot explain per minute RoT is achieved with starboard
manoeuvre will take. the procedure to others often due to their rudder, and the rudder is put amidships, the
When a manoeuvre goes wrong, it is own lack of formal shiphandling training. I RoT continues to increase. That’s not just the
common for shiphandlers to look back have seen many Masters berthing their own rudder! Something else is going on.
4 | The Navigator | February 2018
SHIPHANDLING EXPLAINED
Learning how to
get it right
Captain George Sangil, a Master Mariner from the Philippine Center for Advanced
Maritime Simulation And Training, Inc. explains how the right experience, mentoring
and training are crucial to success in shiphandling
I
n seafaring, competency is the foundation Competence in action employing and absorb the ones you would
of everything we achieve in terms of safety, The very first time an officer swings the ship be comfortable with as a Master. I have
security and efficient shipping operations. to pick up a Pilot can be one of the most always promoted the concept of ‘Challenge
One of the most essential skills for terrifying situations one can encounter. and Response’ during my command and
achieving competency as a ship’s officer is I see to it that the officer is supervised, have consistently encouraged the crew
establishing proficiency in ship manoeuvring either directly or indirectly. One time, I put to be comfortable in challenging anything
and handling. This is a skill seen by many my Second Mate to the test and had him unusual or unsafe.
as not only the most important, but also the bring the vessel to the pilot station without It is crucial to understand that anyone
most difficult to attain. me on the bridge. Initially, he called me can be challenged, including the Captain
Exceptional seafarers know that factual on the radio to ask for suggestions on and Pilot, both of whom are effectively
knowledge and an understanding of the what he should do. I told him to use his part of the bridge team. Officers should
conceptual requirements of shiphandling common sense in dealing with the situation be trained to voice whatever challenges
is not enough. There is no substitute for (without him knowing that I was all the time they may see, never forgetting to be polite,
experience. Fortunately, the chance to observing how he was handling the vessel respectful and diplomatic.
practise shiphandling skills is now more When dealing with a difficult situation,
accessible than ever before, thanks to good practice is to make a logbook entry
the advent of shipboard-like training EACH AND EVERY and call the Master immediately. If a
environments. A great way to translate factual
knowledge into practical applications is to use
SHIP'S OFFICER ship is approaching a dock too quickly,
the Master should immediately intervene
simulators; even while onboard an actual ship! DESERVES TO by verbalising take-over of the conn
Learning by doing is how I train people (for the VDR to capture on record),
in shiphandling. Allowing them to mimic
POSSESS THE SKILL immediately countermanding the Pilot’s
the techniques that I have demonstrated, OF SHIPHANDLING. IT order and executing the appropriate
whenever it is safe to do so, is how they engine and helm orders to bring the vessel
get to experience multiple tasks under my IS ONE OF THE MOST to a stop.
responsibility. These can vary from picking
up a Pilot and manoeuvring in an anchorage
IMPORTANT SKILLS Masters can only do this with confidence
if they have trained for such scenarios via
to docking and un-docking and handling the THERE IS - AND THERE a simulated environment, manned model
vessel in heavy weather, to name just a few. or in-service training. Only through these
If the tasks at hand are not suitable for
IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR type of training exercises can the Master
officers to do on the spot, it is important EXPERIENCE. recognise a dangerous manoeuvre from
to take time wherever possible to teach a safe manoeuvre. Otherwise, they might
them about the art of shiphandling through hesitate to intervene until it is too late to
mentoring, including the deck cadets. from my porthole.) He did pretty well making reverse an avoidable situation.
I believe each and every one of my the right decisions by himself, although if he
officers deserves to possess this skill. had taken the wrong actions, I would have Seeking excellence
Also, if I am ever indisposed, I will have taken over. He really felt proud about what Most importantly, teachers and students
the peace of mind of knowing that I have he was able to do and appreciative of the should appreciate that learning is a
ample numbers of deck officers to back confidence that he gained under me. dialogue. Only through efficient teaching,
me up. By training and putting my trust in There was also an instance when proper application of skills and sincere
these officers, they can develop the kind of I allowed the deck cadet to manoeuvre mentoring can growth be attained. Admiral
confidence that will take them to the highest the vessel (under my supervision) inside Grace Hopper couldn’t have been more
levels of their chosen profession. the anchorage to drop anchor. He was correct in saying, ‘A ship in port is safe,
Whenever a ship’s safe navigation is able to do it safely and in accordance with but that’s not what ships are built for.’ Like
threatened, e.g. when needing to avoid my expectations. the ship, you are built to be more than who
other watercraft, it is important to be A critical manoeuvring situation can arise you are today.
resourceful by using all available means at if a ship approaches a dock too quickly. You should seek consistently for
your disposal (such as the ship’s whistle, Masters can intervene effectively with the excellence in everything you do and
fog horn, helm, Aldis lamp and main engine Pilot in this case, using the appropriate skills never settle for mediocrity. With this as
as necessary). When in doubt, it is never and maintaining confidence. your mindset, you will have a sense of
harmful to call a colleague to assist, even if Observe the practices used by the ownership of the great responsibility
you have been given full autonomy during a different Pilots you have worked with that you have to fulfil as global maritime
watchkeeping shift. onboard, learn from the techniques they are professionals moving the world.
This is a summary of the main points. Want to know more? You can download the complete report from the UK MAIB at https://tinyurl.com/navigator17
If you find our accident reports useful, check out The Nautical Institute’s Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS). A fully
searchable database of incident reports and lessons, updated every month. Seen a problem yourself? Email the editor at
mars@nautinst.org and help others learn from your experience. All reports are confidential – we will never identify you or your ship.
Fundamentally, shiphandling is all about Check, check and check again radio communications is also key, as well as
making safe and effective navigational To ensure your own reaction is as good ‘stored’ digital and paper-based data, such
decisions. Since a ship’s manoeuvres as it possibly can be, it is vitally important as charted and tidal information.
are affected and limited by the vessel’s to keep checking the correlation of all the We have to be cautious about relying
capabilities within the immediate available information. Critical information on data from any single source. However, if
environment (including wind, currents and is received from many sources, including data from multiple sources is well correlated,
sea-state), navigational decisions must what everyone on the bridge can see, hear your perception of the situation is far more
take into account how the ship will actually and feel in terms of ‘body-acceleration’. likely to reflect reality. This will improve the
handle in the particular circumstances. Of course, onboard electronic sensors are validity of any manoeuvring decisions and
Making the best navigational decisions very important, not least those detecting make a successful outcome far more likely,
requires increasingly expert shiphandling changes in movement, such as rate-of-turn even in the tightest conditions. Our safety at
knowledge as the situation intensifies. indicators. Information from digital and voice sea is dominated by the immediate position
Scientists and naval architects fully and movement of the vessel we are on,
understand the detailed physics and even if the degree of control that we have
mathematics needed to work out how a is limited by external conditions and the
specific vessel would behave in a given set vessel’s specific design.
of circumstances. However, it is not practical Of course, any adjustments made to
to try and make accurate calculations of a ship’s controls affecting its speed and
this kind during a real-life shiphandling detailed rotation must be continuously
situation. Therefore, we rely on a monitored against the external situation.
well-trained shiphandler to make This allows you to refine the
good judgements about what actions manoeuvring action, but it also
are needed to keep the ship safe. adds to and reinforces your own
These decisions must be based on a knowledge as a shiphandler, and will
mixture of experience and the expert use of help you when you encounter similar
proven concepts. For example, the concept situations in the future.
of the pivot point is very important, and the
handler must have a good understanding To err is human…
of this, including its effective position under Although we have our own expectations
differing circumstances. about how other vessels involved in a
In close situations, primary navigational manoeuvre will react, what they will actually
concerns are the relative position of hazards do is a major unknown. It is not that the
and the speed and acceleration of your other vessels are being navigated badly
own ship relative to those hazards. Close – just that everybody occasionally makes
situations are particularly complex because mistakes. Even if the close-by vessel is
these relative values can vary significantly being navigated with equal competence
along both the length and beam of own to your own, remember that with two
vessel. Ships are too large to be considered ships, there is now double the possibility
a ‘single point’ in such situations – as is true of human and machine errors that could
of many hazards at sea. The question, ‘What affect your safety. Never assume that your
is your location?’ is not as easy to answer as own immediate response is the end of the
simply giving a lat/long coordinate. situation. Keep alert…
Contact RIN at: www.rin.org.uk | 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AT | Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 3134
10 | The Navigator | February 2018
10
take 5
What turns a ship?
It’s not just the rudder, all forces must be used and balanced,
including propulsion, environment and dynamic forces.
1
Number one skill
7
Plan
Shiphandling skills are probably the navigator’s greatest skills – Having a plan is crucial to success. Anticipating how the ship
both in terms of professional pride and consequences should will behave will help you to carry out that plan.
things go wrong.
2 8
No need for speed
Practice When berthing a ship, the faster you go, the longer it will take.
Shiphandling is probably one of the most difficult skills to master
9
as it comes from practice – which is hard to find time for, or
specialist training – which is costly.
3
Keep calm
A calm, measured approach will instil confidence in the bridge
team and get you in the correct position more quickly and with
Mentoring far less drama.
Be a mentor if you can and get a mentor if you can; learning on
10
the job is the best way of learning to handle a ship.
4
Watch and reflect
Logbook
Keeping a logbook of your practice manoeuvres is invaluable.
It allows you and your mentor to reflect on your success,
Even if you can’t handle a ship yourself, watch others, such as demonstrates to others your capability, identifies gaps in your
the Master or Pilot, to learn what to do – or not to do… Taking experience that may require extra training, and is a document
time to reflect on what went right and what could be improved is to take professional pride in. The Nautical Institute provides
a powerful learning tool. specialist logbooks for shiphandling.
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