Nautical Term: Bow thruster
Definition of Bow thruster
A bow thruster is a type of propulsor, which is installed near the front of a ship. Its primary function is to generate a transverse thrust component, enabling the vessel to maneuver sideways in confined spaces or during docking operations.
For instance, imagine a large container ship attempting to dock at a busy port. Due to the limited space and numerous other vessels in the vicinity, the captain must execute a precise maneuver to align the ship with the docking facilities. In this scenario, the bow thruster plays a crucial role in enabling the captain to expertly maneuver the container ship into the desired position for docking.
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