Technical Basis for Maneuvering Performance Standards.

The development of a set of maneuvering performance standards applicable to ocean-going and Great Lakes ships larger than 1000 metric tons (deadweight) is described. These standards, which are considered suitable for immediate use for rating ship maneuvering performance, are based on relative performance (superior through marginal) of the majority of ships, rather an absolute (go/no go) rating. The ratings are based on available full scale (builder's trials) data for more than 600 ships of various types. The ratings were determined from a straight forward analysis. The recommended rating system includes: a turning index, an overshoot angle index, a responsiveness index, and a stopping index; the trials agenda to obtain the indices is provided.