Active Steering Compensation

An autopilot or track-control function that corrects a vessel’s commanded heading for cross-track set caused by current and wind, holding the ground track rather than the heading. Performance standards for heading and track-control systems sit in IMO resolutions MSC.64(67) Annex 3 (heading control) and MSC.74(69) Annex 2 (track control), with IEC 62065 the test standard. The controller computes a crab angle so course-over-ground matches the planned leg, reducing helmsman corrections and fuel-wasting yaw on long passages.