General Knowledge: Ships Don’t Have Brakes. So How Are They Slowed Down Or Stopped? – News18

Last Updated:January 27, 2025, 16:47 IST

Stopping a ship is a more complex process compared to stopping a road vehicle. It cannot be halted instantly; the process must be initiated well in advance

When you ride a bike or drive a car, braking is how you regulate speed or bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Techniques for applying brakes in road vehicles have been developed and refined over time. Even aeroplanes, which race down runways to take off, require brakes to decelerate upon landing.

But what about ships? Do ships also require brakes? The answer is no. Ships do not have conventional brakes. Instead, some other methods are used to halt them.

Brakes Techniques In Road Vehicles

The kind of brakes used in road vehicles cannot be applied to water vessels. Road vehicle brakes rely on friction, achieved through two systems: discs or drums.

In disc brakes, pads apply pressure to the disc, creating friction to reduce speed. In drum brakes, brake shoes rub against the inner surface of the drum to create friction. Both systems typically use hydraulic fluid to press the brake pads or shoes when the pedal is pressed. This gradually reduces the speed of the vehicle until it stops.

However, this technique does not work for ships. Ships cannot be stopped the same way as road vehicles due to the nature of water, where friction does not function as effectively. Therefore, alternative methods are required to stop ships.

Methods to Control a Ship’s Speed

Stopping a ship is a more complex process compared to stopping a road vehicle. It cannot be halted instantly; the process must be initiated well in advance. There are three primary methods to control or slow down a ship’s speed, although only two are commonly used for larger vessels today.

Anchoring: An anchor is a heavy metal object of a specific shape, attached to a sturdy chain that matches the ship’s size. To stop a ship, the anchor is dropped into the water. The anchor sinks to the bottom and settles due to its weight, preventing the ship from moving forward.

Reverse Gear: The reverse gear is a highly effective way to slow down a ship. It rotates the engine’s propeller in the opposite direction, causing the moving ship to resist forward momentum, thereby reducing its speed.

Other Methods: For sailboats, the sails can be adjusted to harness wind direction, helping to slow down or stop the vessel. Some specialised equipment can utilise water currents or waves to decelerate a ship, but these methods are not regularly used.