The circle is the path of the ship’s pivot point as it executes a 360° turn. In shallow water, the rate of turn is likely to be decreased, so the vessel will have a larger turning circle.
Once trials of a new ship are complete, operators will need to know how the vessel can expect to perform in a variety of sea conditions. The ship handler, for instance,should be aware of how long it will take for a vessel to become stopped in the water from a full ahead position or how far the vessel will advance in a turn.
Turning circles and stopping distance (speed trials) provides such essential information to those that control today’s ships.
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