QUICKWATER
Quickwater develops when the flow from the engine going astern starts moving up the ship's side. This occurs first on the starboard side at about 2 knots and by the time the ship has little headway there will be considerable flow up both sides of the ship. The quickwater strikes first on the quarter so the stern moves away and the bow heads toward the berth, and its effect is more pronounced when docking starboard side to. The quickwater eventually moves up the full length of the ship so she is affected equally fore and aft, the cushion being used by the ship handler to reduce the ship's lateral motion or move the ship away from the dock.
Like other forces which affect a ship, quickwater is planned for and used as an aid by the competent shiphandler. Quickwater affects a docking or undocking ship but is strongest when there is shoaling or a bulkhead under the berth. This contains the flow and increases the pressure acting upon the hull. If the ship approaches with excessive speed it is necessary to back more strongly than desired for a greater length of time, and resulting excessive flow of quickwater becomes a problem in spite of the best planning. This is one more reason for approaching at the minimum possible speed.
