Towing & Ship-Assist · Interaction — Shallow Water Squat
As a deeply laden tow speeds up in shallow water, squat causes the tow to:
- ARise higher out of the water
- BSit lower and possibly touch bottom, while becoming more sluggish to steer✓ Correct
- CSteer more sharply and safely
- DLose all draft
Explanation
Squat — the bodily sinkage and trim change from the low-pressure flow beneath a hull in shallow water — increases with the square of speed. A laden tow can lose under-keel clearance and touch bottom, and handling becomes sluggish. Slowing down is the primary remedy.
Authority: Bowditch (Pub. No. 9); ship-handling references
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