THE PIVOT POINT

A ship’s pivot point is a point on the center line about which the ship turns when
the rudder is put over. The pivot point scribes the ship’s turning circle.

A ship’s pivot point is nearly always located about one-fourth the ship’s length
from her bow when moving ahead, and at or near her stern when moving
astern. The location of the pivot point will vary with ship’s speed. An increase in
speed will shift the pivot point in the direction of the ship’s movement.

Each example assumes a ship on even keel in calm conditions and still water. In
this situation no forces are involved and the ship has its centre of gravity
approximately amidships.

Pivot point - stopped

Making Headway

Two forces now come into play, firstly the forward momentum of the ship and
secondly, longitudinal resistance to forward momentum, created by the water
ahead of the ship. These two forces must ultimately strike a balance and the
pivot point moves forward. As a rough guide it can be assumed that 25% of the
ships forward momentum, at constant speed, is spent in overcoming longitudinal
resistance and the pivot point will be approximately 1/4L from forward.

Pivot point - making headway

Compiled by: Capt. Naveen C Tewari, ARI Saket. New Delhi (4/21) 1
 THE PIVOT POINT

Making Sternway

The situation is now totally reversed, the momentum of sternway must balance
longitudinal resistance, this time created by the water astern of the ship. The
pivot point moves aft and establishes itself approximately 1/4L from the stern.

Pivot point - making sternway

It should be stressed that other factors such as acceleration, shape of hull and
speed may all affect the position of the pivot point. The arbitrary figures quoted
here however, are perfectly adequate for a simple and practical working
knowledge of the subject.

TURNING LEVERS AND MOMENTS

More important perhaps, than the position of the pivot point, is the effect its
shifting nature has upon the many turning forces that can influence a ship.
These are rudder force, transverse thrust, bow thrust, tug force, interactive
forces and the forces of wind and tide.

Vessel Stopped

If we look at the ship used in our example, we can see that it has a length
overall of 160 metres. It is stopped in the water and two tugs are secure fore
and aft, on long lines, through centre leads.

If the tugs apply the same bollard pull of say 15 tonnes each, it is to a position
80m fore and aft of the pivot point.

Turning levers - vessel stopped

Compiled by: Capt. Naveen C Tewari, ARI Saket. New Delhi (4/21) 2
 THE PIVOT POINT

Thus, two equal turning levers and moments of 80m x 15t (1200tm) are created
resulting in even lateral motion and no rate of turn.

Making Headway

With the ship making steady headway, however, the pivot point has shifted to a
position 40m from the bow. The forward tug is now working on a very poor
turning lever of 40m x 15t (600tm), whilst the after tug is working on an
extremely good turning lever of 120m x 15 t (1800tm).

This results in a swing of the bow to starboard.

Turning Levers: Making Headway.

Making Sternway

The efficiency of the tugs will change totally when the ship by contrast makes
sternway. Now the pivot point has moved aft to a position 40m from the stern.
The forward tug is working on an excellent turning lever of 120m x 15t
(1800tm) whilst the after tug has lost its efficiency to a reduced turning lever of
40m x 15t (600tm).

This now results in a swing of the bow to port.

Turning Levers: Making Sternway

Compiled by: Capt. Naveen C Tewari, ARI Saket. New Delhi (4/21) 3