Maneuvering qualities of vessels with a wheeled propulsion and steering
Various types of rudders are used on ships - traditional rudders, active rudders, retractable thrusters, azimuth thrusters, etc. In Russia, they began to build wheeled ships without a traditional rudder. Maneuvering is carried out by changing the ratio of the rotation frequencies of the paddle wheels located along the sides in the stern of the vessel-a vessel with a wheeled propulsion and steering system (WPSS). In the article, on the basis of a mathematical model of a vessel with a WPSS, a comparative analysis of the maneuvering characteristics of vessels with different types of steering gear (a traditional rudder, an azimuth thruster and a WPSS) is carried out. Mathematical modeling of standard maneuvres used in the test of the vessels was performed: the zigzag maneuver, the circulation maneuver, active and passive braking. The results allow us to state that vessels with a WPSS (without a traditional rudder) have maneuvering characteristics that ensure their efficient and safe operation.