EVALUATION OF THE SAFETY OF SHIP NAVIGATION IN HARBORS

This paper presents a methodology for measuring the safety of navigation in harbor waterways from which can be derived the ability of specific ships to navigate safely in existing or anticipated harbors. Factors considered include ship size and controllability, typical pilot-helmsman performance, channel characteristics and associated aids to navigation as well as environmental conditions (i.e., visibility, wind, current). The interplay between ship and port/harbor/waterway design is explored. An analysis of the geographic limitations of all major U.S. harbors (channel widths, depths, turn angles, etc.) is provided to serve as reference material for future ship designs.