What are factors affecting ship’s manoeuvring?

2.  The pivot  point

A ship rotates about a point situated along its length, called the ‘pivot point’. When a force is applied to a ship, which has the result of causing the ship to turn (e.g. the rudder), the ship will turn around a vertical axis which  is conveniently  referred to as the pivot point. The position of the pivot point depends on a number of influences. With headway, the pivot point lies between 1/4 and 1/3 of the ship’s length from the bow, and with sternway, it lies a corresponding  distance from the stern. In the case of a ship without headway through the water but turning,  its position will depend on the magnitude  and position of the applied force(s), whether  resulting from the rudder, thrusters,  tug, wind or other influence.The pivot point traces the path that the ship follows.