Principle of Ship Squat

The principle of ship squat is based on Bernoulli’s equation, which states that as the speed of a fluid (such as water) increases, its pressure decreases.

When a ship is moving through the water, the flow of water around the hull creates a low-pressure area underneath the ship. This area of low pressure causes the water level to rise, or “squat”, which reduces the clearance between the ship’s keel and the seabed.

The magnitude of the squat depends on several factors, including the ship’s speed, draft, displacement, and shape of the hull.

As the ship’s speed increases, so does the magnitude of the squat, and if the water depth is not sufficient, the ship may touch the seabed.

Ship squatting is particularly important for large vessels operating in shallow water, such as in river channels, harbors, and coastal areas.

Ship captains and pilots must take into account the potential for squatting when navigating in shallow waters and adjust their speed accordingly to maintain safe clearance beneath the ship.