Stabilizer (ship)

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This article refers to the nautical term. For other uses, see stabilizer.

Ship stabilizers are fins mounted beneath the waterline and emerging laterally. In contemporary vessels, they may be gyroscopically controlled active fins, which have the capacity to change their angle of attack to counteract roll caused by wind or waves acting on the ship.

The bilge keel is an early 20th century predecessor. Although not as effective at reducing roll, bilge keels are cheaper, easier to install, and do not require dedicated internal space inside the hull.

[edit] External links

• Arcturus Marine - manufacturers of ride control, thrusters, digital stabilizers and integrated hydraulics

• Blohm + Voss Industries - manufacturers of ship stabilizers

• Halcyon International - manufacturers of ship stabilisers including gyro-stabilisers

• Naiad Marine - manufacturers of roll stabilizers, stabilization at anchor systems, interceptors, bow and stern thrusters, integrated hydraulic systems

• Rolls Royce manufacturers of ship stabilisers

• Seakeeper Inc. - manufacture of stabilization products for ships including control moment gyro roll stabilizers

• Ship Dynamics - manufacturers of ship stabilizers inc. first active gyroscopic stabilisers, interceptored foils (patented), control systems

• Sperry Marine - manufacturers of ship stabilizers

• Pinfabb - manufacturers of ship stabilizer control