Opinion Bow Truster Effect on Ship's Headway

by Capt. Hugues Cauvier - published on 14 July 2022

When the bow thruster has been in operation for a while, pilots often notice that the ship not only turns but also gains speed. But why is this? Opinion by Capt. Hugues Cauvier.

6

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.

0

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

In fact, the pivot point that we “see” is a trick of the eye, it looks like the ship is rotating about this point but in fact it is elsewhere, a point that you cannot see.

Related content

Video Bow thruster effect on ship's headway 1

by Capt. Hugues Cauvier - published on 14 July 2022

What is causing the forward motion of a stopped vessel using continous bow thruster action?
by Capt. H. Cauvier

4

Video Hugues Cauvier: Understanding the ship's pivot point (complete video)

by Capt. Hugues Cauvier - published on 3 September 2024

This video has been recut and edited by the creator Hugues Cauvier. Previously there were three episodes, which have now been combined into one.

1

Video How to Launch a Pilot Boat–Behind the Scenes at Point Hope Shipyard

published on 20 June 2025

Welcome to Point Hope Shipyard in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. In this video, I follow the float off of the Pacific Navigator, a hardworking pilot boat that serves the Port of Victoria and Ogden Point. We watch as the vessel is pulled along the marine railway, rotated on the turntable, and positioned onto the cradle. Once secured, the cradle lowers to float-off depth, and the Pacific Navigator fires up her engines for a short harbour spin before returning to duty. Some segments,...

0

Article New app: Pilot´s Tug Assist Tool PTAT - Bollard Pull Calculation for Marine Pilots

by Capt. M. Baykal Yaylai - published on 19 February 2020

Required tug power and number of tugs needed in variable conditions of wind, current and waves isin most cases an assessment made by pilots based on their professional experience. However, assessments will raise questions by lawyers if something goes wrong. They will use tools to calculate what really is needed with respect to tug power and number of tugs. They have furthermore the advantage of time.

2

Video This Maritime School in England Teaches Harbour Pilots Expert Ship-Handling Skills On A Lake!

published on 28 October 2026

I’ve wanted to visit the Warsash Maritime School ship-handling centre since before I ever set foot on a ship. It’s visited by pilots from all over the world for the kind of specialist training, realistic simulations and real-world expertise you rarely get elsewhere.
As a Tug Master, I handle ships by pulling and pushing them around, so to see these intricate manoeuvres using only the ships equipment really fascinated me.
I can’t thank all the instructors, Warsash and Solent uni enough for...

0

Video Recorded Webinar: Pilot Ladder safety and Pilot Transfer procedures

published on 15 October 2020

Recorded presentation by All India Marine Pilots Association (AIMPA) on the topic "Pilot Ladder safety and Pilot Transfer procedures"

2

Video Brazilian Pilotage Maneuver Simulation Center

published on 14 June 2022

Maneuvering ships are complex operations with high-risk involved. Just like nautical projects, they need to be simulated on training centers before approved. In a scenario of growing ships and limited waterways, state-of-the-art technology is essential to safely increase ports efficiency. That is why Brazilian Pilotage brought the most modern bridge simulator next to the maritime regulatory entities. Located a few minutes from government agencies, in the brazilian capital, our training...

1

Video Maritime Pilot Training I - Man overboard manoeuvre

by Loodswezen Amsterdam-Ijmond - published on 12 May 2021

Training video I on the correct behaviour in case of man overboard

0

Video Pilotage in a strong current

published on 11 October 2021

0

Article HamiltonJet unveils Electro-Hybrid Drive (EHX)

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 23 June 2020

HamiltonJet unveiled its new Electro-Hybrid Drive (EHX) system – innovative technology that offers all the advantages of electric drive with the full capabilities of diesel.

This unique system delivers lowers fossil fuel consumption (reduced further when dock charging, as infrastructure allows) combined with the speed, manoeuvrability, efficiency and safety waterjets are renowned for.

0