Motion Of The Ship

Ship motions are defined by the six degrees of freedom that a ship, boat or any other craft can experience.

Heave

is the linear vertical (up/down) motion

Sway

is the linear lateral (side-to-side) motion

Surge

is the linear longitudinal (front/back) motion

Roll

is when the vessel rotates about the longitudinal (front/back) axis

Pitch

is when the vessel rotates about the transverse (side-to-side) axis

Yaw

is when the vessel rotates about the vertical (up-down) axis