A towboat has the same draft as the barges it is pushing ahead. If the distance from the stern of the towboat to the head of the tow is 800 feet, where is the approximate location of the pivot point of the unit?
ā¢ Pivot point on a vessel or tow and how it shifts with movement ā¢ Effect of underway with headway on pivot point location ā¢ Relationship between overall length of the unit and approximate pivot point position
ā¢ Think about where the pivot point usually lies on a vessel moving ahead in calm conditions. Is it closer to the bow, midships, or stern? ā¢ If the entire tow (boat + barges) behaves like one long rigid body, how might you estimate the pivot point location along its total length? ā¢ How would equal draft between towboat and barges affect whether the pivot point moves more toward the towboat or the barges?
ā¢ Identify the total length of the unit from towboat stern to tow head (already given). ā¢ Recall that for a vessel moving ahead, the pivot point is typically forward of midālength, not exactly at the bow or the stern. ā¢ Compare each answer choice to a reasonable fraction of the total length (e.g., about 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 from one end) and decide which best matches where the pivot point usually sits.
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