What is the point about which a DP vessel rotates when changing heading?

When a DP (Dynamic Positioning) vessel changes heading, it rotates around a specific point known as the centre of rotation. This point is not necessarily at the vessel's centre of gravity, bow, or stern but is determined by hydrodynamic factors such as the vessel's shape, weight distribution, and environmental influences.

The centre of rotation is crucial in understanding how the vessel will maneuver and maintain its position while changing direction. If the vessel were to rotate around its centre of gravity, the maneuverability would differ significantly from what is observed in practice. In real-world applications, understanding how and where a vessel rotates during heading changes helps operators manage the vessel's position effectively, especially in dynamic environments such as oil rigs or during underwater operations.

Recognizing the centre of rotation benefits navigators during operations since it allows for better predictions of the vessel's behavior during turns, ensuring safety and precision in DP operations.