Emergency steering

Steering

To the editor: Wayne Canning’s recent article on emergency steering (“Emergency Steering,” Ocean Voyager 2017) was accurate about how to set up the drogue for emergency steering and how it can slow a vessel too much. 

However, our product, the Shark drogue, is the exception to the rules. The Shark doesn’t require the Y-shape setup as described in the article, only the two rodes forming a V-shape. Second, the Shark can be pulled up close to the boat, which dumps out some of the water to reduce drag so the boat doesn’t slow down too much. 

—Zack Smith is head of research for Fiorentino Sea Anchors. He performs at-sea tests of the firm’s sea anchors and drogues.

By Ocean Navigator