Crash stop: why your ship won't stop fast

On a direct-drive diesel, the engine must stop, then restart astern. IMO allows up to 15 ship lengths to stop, more for very large ships, so about 2.4 nautical miles for a 300-metre ship. With a right-handed propeller, the bow usually swings to starboard. Early, bold helm often beats a crash stop. Know your wheelhouse poster, and always follow your manoeuvring data and SMS.

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