Overview
ISO 13643-4:2017 - part of the ISO 13643 series on manoeuvring of ships - defines symbols and terms and provides detailed guidelines for conducting ship manoeuvring tests that evaluate stopping, acceleration, and traversing performance. It covers surface ships, submarines and scale models, and is intended to be read together with ISO 13643-1 (general concepts, quantities and test conditions).
Key topics
- Defined manoeuvring tests
- Stopping test (4.1) - active reversal of thrust (e.g., full astern) and measurement until the ship is “dead in the water” (crash-stop is a specific condition).
- Coasting stop / inertia test (4.2) - propulsion disengaged/shut down and ship allowed to coast to near stop.
- Acceleration test (4.3) - evaluates positive/negative acceleration and time to reach target speed.
- Traversing test (4.4) - assesses lateral movement capability (transfer) with minimal longitudinal motion.
- Test-related physical quantities - standardized symbols and units for parameters such as initial speed (V0), track reach (sF), stopping/coasting/acceleration times (tF, tS, tIACC), advance (X0F) and transfer (Y0F), change of heading (Δψ), and steerage way.
- Data recording and presentation - continuous logging of manoeuvring device settings, propulsion settings, speed through water, heading, rate of turn, propeller rpm/pitch/torque, wind data, heel and (for submarines) dived depth and plane angles. Guidance on plotting track, time histories and tabulating derived quantities (e.g., deceleration factors).
- Special conditions for submarines - trim and dived depth control (refer ISO 13643‑5 for submarine specifics) and priority for maintaining steady dived depth during tests.
- Designation conventions - standardized naming (e.g., “Stopping test ISO 13643‑4.1 × 17” for a test at 17 kn).
Applications
- Ship trials and sea acceptance tests for newbuilds and retrofits
- Model basin testing and validation of ship handling characteristics
- Performance assessment for shipyards, classification societies and flag administrations
- Design verification by naval architects and marine engineers
- Operational assessments for ship operators and naval forces (including submarines)
- Compliance checks against IMO manoeuvrability guidance (see IMO MSC Circular 1053)
Who should use it
- Naval architects and ship designers
- Shipyards and ship trials teams
- Classification societies and certification bodies
- Model basin and hydrodynamic test laboratories
- Defence/naval engineers working on submarines
- Maritime researchers evaluating manoeuvrability performance
Related standards
- ISO 13643-1 (general concepts, quantities and test conditions)
- ISO 13643-5 (submarine specials)
- ISO 80000-1 and ISO 80000-3 (quantities and units)
- IMO MSC Circular 1053 (explanatory notes to the Standard for Ship Manoeuvrability)
Using ISO 13643-4 helps ensure consistent, repeatable ship manoeuvring tests and clear communication of stopping, acceleration and traversing performance across designers, builders, regulators and operators.