Of all the maneuvers that a Captain performs, perhaps the most useful and oft repeated is moving his twin screw vessel sideways. And one of the greatest satisfactions come when an onlooker makes a comment about bow or stern thrusters only to discover the vessel that just slipped sideways so smartly, has no thrusters at all. Most twin screws boats are capable of this maneuver at least to some degree. The following is a simple technique that you can use to master this professional looking procedure.
First Visualization: When you turn the helm to Port with power ahead, you are actually telling the stern to move to Starboard, as the prop wash is actually flowing against the rudder and pushing it and the boats stern in that direction Armaturen. When turning the helm to Starboard with power ahead, the stern moves to Port. Now, imagine then that someone is standing behind you with their hands in both of your back jeans pockets and you are leaning slightly forward. If they move your rear end to the right while pushing you forward the effect is that you are turn to the left. Move the rear to the left and you turn to the right.
Simple, that’s how you steer when going ahead. Note; you can steer a twin screw boat going ahead on one engine alone, if you want to go to Port, engage only the Starboard prop, and turn the helm to Port and the stern moves to Starboard relatively quickly. To turn to Starboard, turn the helm to Starboard, (the rudder actually turns to Port), engage the Port prop and the stern moves to Port. Simple, but it is important that you understand this principle particularly the more rudder degree you apply the more dramatic the movement of the stern. Conclusion: The rudder swings the stern opposite the direction you turn the helm.
Second Visualization: Again someone has their hands in your back pockets and you are slightly bent over. Now imagine that each of their hands is actually a propeller. If they push on your right cheek, (Starboard propulsion ahead), and pull on your left cheek, (Port propulsion astern), it swings your head, (bow) to the left. This is referred to as crossing transmissions, one ahead and one astern. Conclusion: Crossing transmissions swings the bow toward the side of the reverse gear.
Now remember, the rudders are behind the props and vessels stern swing is a result of water pushing against the rudder when the props are engaged ahead. When in reverse the rudders have little effect on the stern unless enough sternway is developed to push the rudders. SO:
The person behind you pushes on your right cheek, (Starboard forward), pulls on your left cheek, (Port reverse), while swinging your rear to the right, (helm to Port). Result: a very dramatic turn to the Port. This maneuver along with throttling each engine judiciously can result in turning the vessel about in its own length. The Port prop is pulling the bow to Port, the Starboard prop is pushing the bow to Port, and the Starboard prop wash hitting the Starboard rudder is pushing the stern to Starboard making the vessel turn very tightly to Port, the Port rudder having very little if any effect because there is not enough sternway developed due to the forward Starboard propulsion. Water resistant and water proof watches can wear overtime causing the seal to crack therefore compromising the timepieces ability to protect against water. A local jeweler or watchmaker should be able to do either a dry or wet pressure test to ensure your watch is water tight, providing they have the proper equipment. For all water resistant watches a qualified watchmaker will perform a pressure test after changing the battery or opening the back of the watch for any reason.
Once the seal cracks any common event involving water such as washing your hands or showering can cause the internal mechanism to get wet, and can also cause the crystal to fog up on the inside. A common mistake is not screwing down the crown completely which can allow water to enter the watch, even if the watch is sealed properly. Water resistant watches with screw in crowns are designed to protect against water only when the crown is screwed fully into its proper position.
On more inexpensive quartz watches (battery powered) if the mechanism gets wet it is usually cheaper to replace the watch than have an expert repair it. For expensive and collectible watches it is recommended that you do not expose the watch to water especially the watch is more than five years old as the watch could very well have a broken seal. Watches maintained regularly will protect better against water opposed to watches that have not.
If the crystal on your watch is fogged up or you suspect it to be water damaged you need to take action immediately if you wish to minimize the damage on your timepiece. Bring your watch as quickly as possible to a watchmaker or mail it in if using an online service. If for some reason you are not able to do such then ensure you follow the necessary steps listed below to minimize damage before you bring it for repair (you could potentially save a lot of money depending on prices of replacement parts/labor! ).