What is Stopping Distance and how many types of Stopping Distances are there?« Back to Previous Page

Stopping distance is the distance covered by a ship (which is making headway), after the engines are stopped.
Stopping distance are of two types :
1. Inertia Stop
2. Crash Stop

1. Inertia Stop: when the engine of the ship is stopped, the ship will continue moving in the same direction for some more distance due to inertia. Here no astern command is given (used to produce “braking effect” for ships), and hence ship will travel more distance in the inertia stop method.

2. Crash Stop: Here the engine, which is moving in an ahead direction is given an order for full astern, leaving the rudder in the mid ship position to stop the ship within minimum distance and shortest possible time.