ISO 13643-2:2017

Overview

ISO 13643-2:2017 - Ships and marine technology - Manoeuvring of ships - Part 2: Turning and yaw checking defines the terminology, symbols and practical test guidelines used to evaluate turning ability and yaw containment of surface ships, submarines and experimental models. Intended to be read together with ISO 13643-1 (general concepts, quantities and test conditions), this part standardizes how to conduct, analyse and present results from ship manoeuvring trials that assess turning behaviour and yaw-control performance.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and terminology
  • Defines terms (e.g., turning circle, accelerating turn, thruster turning, zig‑zag, course change, parallel track, person overboard) and required symbols.
• Test procedures
  • Provides step‑by‑step guidelines for specific tests:
    • Turning circle test (steady turn characteristics)
    • Accelerating turn test (from standstill with manoeuvring devices hard over)
    • Thruster turning test (zero‑speed turning and bow‑thruster threshold speed)
    • Zig‑zag test (turning and yaw checking response)
    • Course change test and Parallel track test
    • Person overboard tests (Williamson and Scharnow turns)
• Data, analysis and presentation
  • Specifies test‑related physical quantities (e.g., speeds, times to specific heading changes, lateral/longitudinal velocities) and how to analyse and report results, including designation of tests and presentation formats.
• Units and conventions
  • Calls out use of ISO 80000‑1 and ISO 80000‑3 for quantities and SI units.
• Applicability
  • Applies to full‑scale ships, submarines and models; dynamic positioning/traversing tests are outside its scope.

Practical applications and users

ISO 13643-2:2017 is used to objectively evaluate ship handling and manoeuvring performance for safety, design validation and regulatory compliance. Typical users include:

• Naval architects and ship designers - validate hull and steering arrangements during design and model testing.
• Shipyards and builders - verify sea trial results for acceptance criteria.
• Model basins and test facilities - run standardized manoeuvring tests and report comparable data.
• Classification societies and regulators - assess compliance and handling characteristics for certification.
• Port operators and pilots - support tug and manoeuvre planning via reliable turning and yaw data.
• Training centres - develop realistic ship‑handling scenarios (e.g., person overboard recoveries).

Related standards

• ISO 13643-1:2017 - General concepts, quantities and test conditions (to be read in conjunction with Part 2).
• ISO 80000-1 / ISO 80000-3 - Quantities and units (space, time and general units).

Keywords: ISO 13643-2:2017, manoeuvring of ships, turning and yaw checking, turning circle test, zig-zag test, thruster turning test, person overboard test, ship manoeuvrability tests, naval architecture, ship handling trials.