- is the linear vertical (up/down) motion
- is the linear lateral (side-to-side) motion
- is the linear longitudinal (front/back) motion
The vertical axis, or yaw axis, is an imaginary line running vertically through the ship and through its centre of gravity. A yaw motion is a side-to side movement of the bow of the ship.
The lateral axis, transverse axis, or pitch axis is an imaginary line running horizontally across the ship and through the centre of gravity. A pitch motion is an up-or-down movement of the bow of the ship.
The longitudinal axis, or roll axis, is an imaginary line running horizontally through the length of the ship, through its centre of gravity, and parallel to the waterline. A roll motion is a side-to-side motion of the superstructure around this axis.
There are three special axes in any ship, called vertical, lateral and longitudinal axes. The movements around them are known as roll, pitch and yaw.
- is the rotation of a vessel about its transverse (side-to-side) axis. An offset or deviation from normal on this axis is referred to as 'trim' or 'out of trim'.
- is the rotation of a vessel about its longitudinal (front/back) axis. An offest or deviation from normal on this axis is referred to as list or heel. Heel refers to an offset that is intentional or expected, as caused by wind pressure on sails, turning, or other crew actions. List normally refers to an unintentional or unexpected offset, as caused by flooding, battle damage, shifting cargo, etc.
- is the rotation of a vessel about its vertical axis. An offset or deviation from normal on this axis is referred to as deviation or set
There are methods for both passive and active motion stabilization used in some designs. They can include static hull features such as skegs and bilge keels, or active mechanical devices like counterweights, Antiroll Tanks, and stabilizers.
- translation (physics)
- Naval architecture
- Stern suction
- Ship stability
- Ship motion test
- Flight dynamics
- Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), "Principles of Naval Architecture", 1989, Vol. III, Pg.41, Section 3 - Ship Responses to Regular Waves Ani==jif