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Boat Maneuvering
Deck Operations · 18 hours

Boat Maneuvering

Vessel Handling & Shiphandling Practice

About This Course

A practical course on handling and maneuvering vessels in a wide range of conditions. Covers the forces that act on a hull, propellers and rudders, turning and stopping, the effects of wind, current and tide, berthing and unberthing, anchoring and mooring, maneuvering in restricted waters and heavy weather, single-screw and twin-screw handling, and emergency maneuvers. Interactive video lessons, guided reading, and knowledge-check quizzes throughout.

What You'll Learn

What Is Boat Maneuvering?
The Forces on a Hull: Inertia, Momentum & Pivot Point
Steering vs. Handling: Thinking Ahead
The Propeller & Propeller Walk
Rudders & How They Work
Bow & Stern Thrusters
How a Vessel Turns: The Turning Circle
Stopping Distance & the Crash Stop
Speed Control in a Seaway
How Wind Acts on a Vessel
How Current & Tide Act on a Vessel
Using Wind & Current to Help, Not Fight Them
Berthing Alongside a Dock
Springs & Breast Lines: The Handler's Tools
Unberthing & Common Berthing Errors
Choosing an Anchorage & the Types of Anchor
Letting Go & Weighing Anchor
Mooring to Buoys, Piles & Mediterranean Mooring
Squat & Bank Effect in Restricted Waters
Maneuvering in Narrow Channels & Locks
Passing & Overtaking: Interaction Between Vessels
Handling in Heavy Weather & Avoiding Broaching
Heaving To & Storm Tactics
Emergency Maneuvers: Steering & Engine Failure
Single-Screw Handling & the Propeller Walk
Twin-Screw Handling & Independent Engine Control
Special Maneuvers: Man Overboard, Coming Alongside Under Sail, & Medevac

Course Curriculum

9 modules · 27 lessons · 18 hours

1

Vessel Handling Fundamentals & the Forces on a Hull

What maneuvering is, the forces that act on a vessel, inertia and momentum, and the difference between steering and handling.

What Is Boat Maneuvering?The Forces on a Hull: Inertia, Momentum & Pivot PointSteering vs. Handling: Thinking Ahead
2

Propellers, Rudders & Steering Systems

How propellers and rudders work, propeller walk (paddle wheel effect), the types of rudder, and bow and stern thrusters.

The Propeller & Propeller WalkRudders & How They WorkBow & Stern Thrusters
3

Turning, Stopping & Speed Control

How a vessel turns, the turning circle, stopping distance and crash stops, and controlling speed in a seaway.

How a Vessel Turns: The Turning CircleStopping Distance & the Crash StopSpeed Control in a Seaway
4

Wind, Current & Tide Effects on Maneuvering

How wind and current act on a vessel, predicting set and leeway, and using wind and current to help rather than fight them.

How Wind Acts on a VesselHow Current & Tide Act on a VesselUsing Wind & Current to Help, Not Fight Them
5

Berthing and Unberthing

Berthing alongside a dock, the use of springs and breast lines, unberthing in wind and current, and common berthing errors.

Berthing Alongside a DockSprings & Breast Lines: The Handler's ToolsUnberthing & Common Berthing Errors
6

Anchoring and Mooring

Choosing an anchorage, the types of anchor, letting go and weighing anchor, and mooring to buoys and piles.

Choosing an Anchorage & the Types of AnchorLetting Go & Weighing AnchorMooring to Buoys, Piles & Mediterranean Mooring
7

Maneuvering in Restricted Waters & Narrow Channels

Squat, bank effect and interaction, maneuvering in narrow channels and locks, and passing and overtaking safely.

Squat & Bank Effect in Restricted WatersManeuvering in Narrow Channels & LocksPassing & Overtaking: Interaction Between Vessels
8

Maneuvering in Heavy Weather & Emergencies

Handling in heavy weather, avoiding broaching, heaving to, and emergency maneuvers for steering or engine failure.

Handling in Heavy Weather & Avoiding BroachingHeaving To & Storm TacticsEmergency Maneuvers: Steering & Engine Failure
9

Single-Screw vs Twin-Screw Handling & Special Maneuvers

The handling characteristics of single-screw and twin-screw vessels, the propeller walk in close quarters, and special maneuvers.

Single-Screw Handling & the Propeller WalkTwin-Screw Handling & Independent Engine ControlSpecial Maneuvers: Man Overboard, Coming Alongside Under Sail, & Medevac
$175.00USD
18 hours
9 modules · 27 lessons
Certificate of completion
Passing score: 70%