HANDLING A SHIP WITH WHEELED PROPULSION-STEERING COMPLEX WHILE PERFORMING MOORING OPERATIONS
In Russia radically new ships with wheeled propulsion-steering complex have appeared. They do not have a traditional steering wheel. Steering is exercises by changing the ratio of the paddle wheels rotation frequency. That provides improved maneuverability of the vessel, but at the same time creates significant difficulties for the navigator while holding the vessel on a predetermined course and mooring operations. The article suggests equipping the ship with an azimuth bow thruster in order to improve its operational characteristics. The article presents dynamic characteristics of the ship while using thrusters. Simulating results show that using a thruster on board the ships with wheel-propulsion and steering complex greatly improves maneuverability at low speeds, but is considered inexpedient at higher speeds.