Berthing operation

Berthing is the maneuver that brings a ship alongside a berth, jetty, or another vessel and secures it for cargo work. The master or pilot controls approach speed, angle, and the use of tugs, thrusters, and engine, aiming to land the ship parallel with near-zero athwartship speed to avoid fender and hull damage. A pre-berthing exchange with the pilot, a master-pilot information card, and engine and mooring stations manned are standard. Approach speed is the main variable: contact energy rises with the square of speed, so excess way is the usual cause of fender overload and structural damage.