RATE OF TURN INDICATOR

Rate of turn indicator or ROTI on board vessels indicates the rate a ship is turning. It indicates the rate a ship is
turning in degrees per minute. It is one of the most important instruments a helmsman can have when steering a
course. It can also be used to turn at a steady rate of turn, which is very important in pilotage water.
Working

The principle of the rate of the turn indicator is based on a gyroscope with an availability of turning in just one
direction. When the ship is steering a straight course, the gyroscope will point in a straight direction and the
pointer will point to the zero on the display. When the vessel makes a turn to port, the gyroscope will turn to port
side due to inertia and this will be pointed on the display of the rate of turn indicator. The same can be said for
the starboard side.
Different types of ROTIs

There are two types of rate of turn indicators: a digital type and an analog type. Nowadays the analog type is still
the most installed type on board vessels, due to its easy way to read the rate of turn quickly and correctly. The
analog type is compulsory, the digital type may be installed in the form of a repeater of the analog type.
Regulations

In SOLAS Section V Reg 19 is written:

2.9 All ships of 50,000 gross tonnage and upwards shall, in addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph
2.8, have: 2.9.1 a rate of turn indicator, or other means, to determine and display the rate of turn; and 2.9.2 a
speed and distance measuring device, or other means, to indicate speed and distance over the ground in the
forward and athwartships direction.
3. When "other means" are permitted under this regulation, such means must be approved by Administration in
accordance with regulation 18.
Construction requirements

The International Maritime Organisation has developed some requirements on the development of the rate of
turn indicator.
Display

The requirements for the display of the rate of turn indicator are that the zero has to be on top, the indicator has
to go to the left when ship is turning to port side, and vice versa.
Scale

The scale of the rate of turn indicator has to be linear with a minimum of 30 degrees per minute, an interval of 1°
from zero to thirty and every 10 degrees have to be marked by a number. The indication for every 5° and 10°
has to be longer than the rest.
Accuracy

IMO say's that a maximum allowed deviation from the real situation shown by the rate of turn indicator is 0.5
degrees. The rate of turn indicator has to keep this accuracy until a speed of 30 knots is reached.
Start-up time

A rate of turn indicator has to be fully operational within four minutes after start-up.

How to calculate Rate of turn or ROT / wheel over point ?

In order to make sure the vessel hits its planned course track after a major course
alteration, it is adviseable to calculate and plan the turn in advance. This is especially
valid for larger vessels. With this method a safe and controlled turn can be carried out.
This method requires that the vessel is equipped with a Rate of Turn indicator.
The Rate Of Turn can be found with this approximate formulae: ROT ( 0/min)  »

OR ROT = V/R

(The ROT is measured in “degrees per minute” )

EXAMPLE: 
1. Select the turn radius. (In this example: 1 nautical mile)
2. Construct the turn in the charts with the selected turn radius to find the Centre Of turn.
3. A line drawn from the Centre Of Turn and 900  down to the initial course track marks the Actual Start Of Turn.
4. The position of the Wheel Over Line is generally, for larger vessels, about 1-2 cables before the Actual Start Of
Turn The Wheel Over Line should be drawn parallel to final planned course track.