Article A review of the ship’s pivot point: Science, Maths and Observation’ Where is the centre of a ship’s rotation?
by Tim Cummins, Harbour Pilot, Portsmouth International Port - published on 17 July 2020
This my attempt to do just that. This is a summary of all scientific papers and articles that I could find about the ship’s pivot point. I have added links to any videos associated with the publications and have also included any useful diagrams or equations that the authors published to help explain their research.
Related content
Opinion Scientific Fact: The ‘traditional’ understanding of the ship’s pivot point is wrong!
by Tim Cummins, Harbour Pilot, Portsmouth International Port - published on 9 July 2020
Opinion Example of a passage and berthing plan
by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 19 June 2020
Opinion A Corrected Version on Positioning of Pivot Point
by Capt. Santosha K. Nayak - published on 18 November 2020
Understanding the fundamentals of the pivot point is highly required for understanding the alteration of the courses. Pivot point is an imaginary point on the vessel which turns on a circular path on the perimeter of vessel’s turning circle when the vessel makes a turn. The knowledge about the position of the pivot point in a manoeuvring situation provides the ship handler with the information on the geometry of motion of the ship.
Video Port Ash Australia: Ship Handling Training & Research Centre
published on 28 January 2022
Video Retired Houston channelpilot Lou Vest: "My Maritime Story"
published on 3 November 2020
Article Future Tug Master Training
by Henk Hensen - published on 11 July 2023
Article Combinations Ladders: "1,000 combinations around" (by Arie Palmers)
by Arie Palmers, Netherlands - published on 13 July 2020
Article Concept of Reskilling for Automation Collaboration in Maritime Piloting
published on 22 August 2022
Article Investigation report on the Kiel Canal lock collision of August 2020
published on 27 October 2022
The Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) hereby announces the publication of the Investigation Report No. 285/20 on 26 October 2022. The report deals with the contact of the multipurpose ship ELSE with a closed lockgate of the Kiel-Holtenau lock which occurred on 29 August 2020.