LARGE VESSEL HANDLING COURSE

AIMS: 

To develop a clear understanding of large vessel handling principles and enhance practical ship-handling competence for safe and efficient operations.

This advanced course is designed to enhance ship-handling and manoeuvring skills for large vessels in demanding environments, including congested waterways, narrow channels, and pilotage areas. The training content is based on IMO Model Course 1.22 – Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork. Simulator exercises are carried out using own-ship models of large vessels equipped with right-handed single-screw fixed-pitch propellers (FPP) or controllable-pitch propellers (CPP), single rudders, and with or without thrusters. Training takes place on a Full Mission Ship Handling Simulator, using scenarios that replicate large vessels with a DWT of over 100,000 tonnes or a capacity of 100,000 m². Emphasis is placed on practical manoeuvring techniques, bridge team coordination, and effective resource management.

OBJECTIVES:

• Understand handling characteristics of large vessels at different speeds and drafts
• Apply effects of wind, current, shallow water, and bank suction
• Improve manoeuvring in confined waters, ports, and channels
• Use tugs and thrusters effectively during berthing and unberthing
• Strengthen situational awareness and decision-making during critical manoeuvres

COURSE CONTENT:

1. Manoeuvring characteristics
2. Momentum & Inertia
3. Pivot Point
4. Ship-Handling Theory
5. Tugs: usage – with/without
6. Case Studies
7. Anchoring
8. Deficiencies found in PSC Inspections