MSC 76/23/Add.

ANNEX 6

RESOLUTION MSC.137(76)
(adopted on 4 December 2002)

STANDARDS FOR SHIP MANOEUVRABILITY

THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,

RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization

concerning the functions of the Committee,

RECALLING ALSO that by resolution A.751(18) the Assembly approved Interim

Standards for ship manoeuvrability (the Interim standards), whereby Governments were
recommended to encourage those responsible for the design, construction, repair and operation of
ships to apply the Interim Standards and invited to collect data obtained by the application of the
Interim Standards and report them to the Organization,

RECALLING FURTHER that by circular MSC/Circ.1053 the Committee approved

Explanatory notes to the Standards for ship manoeuvrability, to provide Administrations with
specific guidance so that adequate data may be collected by the Organization on the
manoeuvrability of ships,

RECOGNIZING the manoeuvring capability of ships to be an important contribution to

the safety of navigation,

BELIEVING that the development and implementation of standards for ship

manoeuvrability, particularly for large ships and ships carrying dangerous goods in bulk, will
improve maritime safety and enhance marine environmental protection,

HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Sub-Committee on Ship

Design and Equipment at its forty-fifth session,

1. ADOPTS the Standards for ship manoeuvrability, the text of which is set out in the
Annex to the present resolution;

2. INVITES Governments to encourage those responsible for the design, construction, repair
and operation of ships to apply the Standards to ships constructed on or after 1 January 2004;

3. RESOLVES that the provisions annexed to the present resolution supersede the
provisions annexed to resolution A.751(18).

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ANNEX

STANDARDS FOR SHIP MANOEUVRABILITY

1 PRINCIPLES

1.1 The Standards for ship manoeuvrability (the Standards) should be used to evaluate the
manoeuvring performance of ships and to assist those responsible for the design, construction,
repair and operation of ships.

1.2 It should be noted that the Standards were developed for ships with traditional propulsion
and steering systems (e.g. shaft driven ships with conventional rudders). Therefore, the
Standards and methods for establishing compliance may be periodically reviewed and updated by
the Organization, as appropriate, taking into account new technologies, research and
development, and the results of experience with the present Standards.

2 GENERAL

2.1 The Standards contained in this document are based on the understanding that the
manoeuvrability of ships can be evaluated from the characteristics of conventional trial manoeuvres.
The following two methods can be used to demonstrate compliance with these Standards:

.1 scale model tests and/or computer predictions using mathematical models can be
performed to predict compliance at the design stage. In this case full-scale trials
should be conducted to validate these results. The ship should then be considered
to meet these Standards regardless of full-scale trial results, except where the
Administration determines that the prediction efforts were substandard and/or the
ship performance is in substantial disagreement with these Standards; and

.2 the compliance with the Standards can be demonstrated based on the results of the
full-scale trials conducted in accordance with the Standards. If a ship is found in
substantial disagreement with the Standards, then the Administration should take
remedial action, as appropriate.

3 APPLICATION

3.1 Notwithstanding the points raised in paragraph 1.2 above, the Standards should be applied
to ships of all rudder and propulsion types, of 100 m in length and over, and chemical tankers and
gas carriers regardless of the length.

3.2 In the event that the ships referred to in paragraph 3.1 above undergo repairs, alterations
or modifications, which, in the opinion of the Administration, may influence their
manoeuvrability characteristics, the continued compliance with the Standards should be verified.

3.3 Whenever other ships, originally not subject to the Standards, undergo repairs, alterations
or modifications, which, in the opinion of the Administration, are of such an extent that the ship
may be considered to be a new ship, then that ship should comply with these Standards.
Otherwise, if the repairs, alterations and modifications, in the opinion of the Administration, may
influence the manoeuvrability characteristics, it should be demonstrated that these characteristics
do not lead to any deterioration of the manoeuvrability of the ship.

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3.4 The Standards should not be applied to high-speed craft as defined in the relevant Code.

4 DEFINITIONS

4.1 Geometry of the ship

4.1.1 Length (L) is the length measured between the aft and forward perpendiculars.

4.1.2 Midship point is the point on the centreline of a ship midway between the aft and forward
perpendiculars.

4.1.3 Draught (Ta) is the draught at the aft perpendicular.

4.1.4 Draught (Tf) is the draught at the forward perpendicular.

4.1.5 Mean draught (Tm) is defined as Tm = (Ta + Tf)/2.

4.1.6 Trim (τ) is defined as τ = (Ta - Tf).

4.1.7 ∆ is the full load displacement of the ship (tonnes).

4.2 Standard manoeuvres and associated terminology

Standard manoeuvres and associated terminology are as defined below:

.1 The test speed (V) used in the Standards is a speed of at least 90% of the ship's
speed corresponding to 85% of the maximum engine output.

.2 Turning circle manoeuvre is the manoeuvre to be performed to both starboard and

port with 35° rudder angle or the maximum rudder angle permissible at the test
speed, following a steady approach with zero yaw rate.

.3 Advance is the distance travelled in the direction of the original course by the
midship point of a ship from the position at which the rudder order is given to the
position at which the heading has changed 90° from the original course.

.4 Tactical diameter is the distance travelled by the midship point of a ship from the
position at which the rudder order is given to the position at which the heading has
changed 180° from the original course. It is measured in a direction perpendicular
to the original heading of the ship.

.5 Zig-zag test is the manoeuvre where a known amount of helm is applied

alternately to either side when a known heading deviation from the original
heading is reached.

.6 The 10°/10° zig-zag test is performed by turning the rudder alternately by 10° to
either side following a heading deviation of 10° from the original heading in
accordance with the following procedure:

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.1 after a steady approach with zero yaw rate, the rudder is put over to 10° to
starboard or port (first execute);

.2 when the heading has changed to 10° off the original heading, the rudder is
reversed to 10° to port or starboard (second execute); and

.3 after the rudder has been turned to port/starboard, the ship will continue
turning in the original direction with decreasing turning rate. In response
to the rudder, the ship should then turn to port/starboard. When the ship
has reached a heading of 10° to port/starboard of the original course the
rudder is again reversed to 10° to starboard/port (third execute).

.7 The first overshoot angle is the additional heading deviation experienced in the
zig-zag test following the second execute.

.8 The second overshoot angle is the additional heading deviation experienced in the
zig-zag test following the third execute.

.9 The 20°/20° zig-zag test is performed using the procedure given in

paragraph 4.2.6 above using 20° rudder angles and 20° change of heading, instead
of 10° rudder angles and 10° change of heading, respectively.

.10 Full astern stopping test determines the track reach of a ship from the time an
order for full astern is given until the ship stops in the water.

.11 Track reach is the distance along the path described by the midship point of a ship
measured from the position at which an order for full astern is given to the
position at which the ship stops in the water.

5 STANDARDS

5.1 The standard manoeuvres should be performed without the use of any manoeuvring aids
which are not continuously and readily available in normal operation.

5.2 Conditions at which the standards apply

In order to evaluate the performance of a ship, manoeuvring trials should be conducted to both
port and starboard and at conditions specified below:

.1 deep, unrestricted water;

.2 calm environment;

.3 full load (summer load line draught), even keel condition; and

.4 steady approach at the test speed.

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5.3 Criteria*

The manoeuvrability of the ship is considered satisfactory if the following criteria are complied with:

.1 Turning ability

The advance should not exceed 4.5 ship lengths (L) and the tactical diameter
should not exceed 5 ship lengths in the turning circle manoeuvre.

.2 Initial turning ability

With the application of 10° rudder angle to port/starboard, the ship should not
have travelled more than 2.5 ship lengths by the time the heading has changed by
10° from the original heading.

.3 Yaw-checking and course-keeping abilities

.1 The value of the first overshoot angle in the 10°/10° zig-zag test should not
exceed:

.1 10° if L/V is less than 10 s;

.2 20° if L/V is 30 s or more; and

.3 (5 + 1/2(L/V)) degrees if L/V is 10 s or more, but less than 30 s,

where L and V are expressed in m and m/s, respectively.

.2 The value of the second overshoot angle in the 10°/10° zig-zag test should
not exceed:

.1 25°, if L/V is less than 10 s;

.2 40°, if L/V is 30 s or more; and

.3 (17.5 + 0.75(L/V))°, if L/V is 10 s or more, but less than 30 s.

.3 The value of the first overshoot angle in the 20°/20° zig-zag test should not
exceed 25°.

.4 Stopping ability

The track reach in the full astern stopping test should not exceed 15 ship lengths.
However, this value may be modified by the Administration where ships of large
displacement make this criterion impracticable, but should in no case exceed
20 ship lengths.

*
For ships with non-conventional steering and propulsion systems, the Administration may permit the use of
comparative steering angles to the rudder angles specified by this Standard.

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6 ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

6.1 In case the standard trials are conducted at a condition different from those specified in
paragraph 5.2.3, necessary corrections should be made in accordance with the guidelines
contained in the Explanatory notes to the Standards for ship manoeuvrability, developed by the
Organization.*

6.2 Where standard manoeuvres indicate dynamic instability, alternative tests may be
conducted to define the degree of instability. Guidelines for alternative tests such as a spiral test
or pull-out manoeuvre are included in the Explanatory notes to the Standards for ship
manoeuvrability, referred to in paragraph 6.1 above.∗

***

∗
Refer to MSC/Circ.1053 on Explanatory notes to the Standards for ship manoeuvrability.

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