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[chrisg46]

I've recently filmed a run of very lightly laden ULCS's, and wonder how much difference the draft and light load make to the ship's handling, and to her behavior at sea, in all kinds of weather conditions.

Would any of the seafarers here give me some comments, please?

[WadeArmstrong]

I suspect that any Pilot will tell you that there is a significant difference between fully loaded and nearly empty ships.  Turn radius, response to engine orders, directional stability are all significantly different.

[Pilot Frans]

The different between loaded and empty vessel.

A light vessel is easier to stop the vessel. Just because of the weight. But when the propellor is partly out of the water this effect will be much less.
Also she reacts quicker to the helm, also because off the weight.
Also when use of tugboat power is much less as the weight is much less.
Besides just the weight the water under the keel (under the vessel) have a big influence. When their is little water under the ship. Everything reacting slow.


But an empty vessel is much more under the influence of the wind. Worse is when a containership is loaded with empty containers (not wind and a huge laterale windface).


Hopes it clarifies your question.
Regards
Frans

[Federico]

Personally I prefer full loaded ships...heavy but more sincere in the prediction (at slow and normal speeds).

[chrisg46]

Thank you for your kind help, gentlemen!

[John Grace]

As an engineer and not a mate I find the description given for the handling of a light Lake Windermere Steamer as "like a leaf being blown across the water", in the book "Worse Things Happen" by Bob Jackson, to be both simple and descriptive. I also have experienced, again as an engineer, the difficulties in getting "high windage" vessels on and off berths in anything above a light breeze.

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