Back sea

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Wind and sea from aft, storm Beaufort 10 (winter 1957 in the North Atlantic )

From abaft lake is called in the navigation when the seas in the same direction as the vessel is directed. “Achterlich” goes back to the sailor's term aft and means “coming from behind”.

The aft sea moves the ship faster, similar to a tail wind, but it is not without its risks: In heavy seas, it can be dangerous, depending on the ship's size and speed, as it destabilizes the ship's position in the water. Large waves can "overflow" the ship, ie wash over the ship's deck , or raise the stern and push the ship with the front part first into the next wave under water (the ship "cuts under" with the fore ship). Due to the orbital movement of the water, the rudder is flowed against from behind and thus has no effect, the ship can no longer be steered.

literature

  • Müller-Krauss: Handbook for ship command , second volume; Some of the theory of stability. Springer-Verlag , 1962 p. 378