Considerations on the Course Stability and Ship’s Handling in Extreme Weather Conditions

Based on real events that occurred in the East Atlantic few years ago, the paper is analyzing and interprets a range of parameters for ship and for external forces that act on the ship captured by heavy weather and the effect they have on the maneuvering capabilities. The paper, wants to explain the strong influence of forces beyond the ship, forces caused by wind, waves or currents. Course stability and ship’s maneuverability are strongly affected when the vessel proceed in a cyclonic area with extreme weather conditions due to external forces that act negatively on the ship’s hull and its ability to maintain the desired course.