Ship Movements

Ship Movements

Fig. 1 Type of Ship Movements

Under the impact of waves, current and wind gusts a moored ship is in continuous movement. The
magnitude of the movement varies over a wide range, and depends on the magnitude and direction of
the waves and wind. Even the best mooring systems will not be able to stop the ship from moving
due to waves and wind. The six main components of the ship movement are shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 Wave Directions

Fig. 3 Combination of Waves

A ship at berth can be exposed to the wave directions as shown in Fig. 2. and combination of long and
short waves as shown in Fig. 3. Usually all movement of a ship will be a combination of more than
one of the six movements as shown in Fig. 1. These six movements can strictly be subdivided into
two main types of movements or oscillations.

(a) Movements in the horizontal plane (surge, sway and yaw)

These movements are related to the forces in the fenders and mooring systems that tend to counteract
the movements or displacements of the ship from its equilibrium position.

(b) Movements in the vertical plane ( roll, pitch and heave)

These are the natural movements of a free floating ship and are almost unaffected by the fenders and
mooring systems.