This paper presents a mathematical model of a leading line consisting of four beacons situated at the apexes of a rectangle. The ship handler compares angles between appropriate beacons to determine whether the vessel is in the middle of the fairway or not. This article assumes that the observer treats the two beacons on the front as a flat screen onto which rear beacons are projected. In this way he can estimate the quotients of sections created by appropriate beacons, from which he can find the lateral deviation from the waterway axis. This method of navigation is based on the Thales assertion. Described in detail, restrictions are the use of the model, precision assessment, and important in this respect, aspects of the waterway markings on Zalew Szczeciński.

This paper presents preliminary results of research to develop a method of analysis of chosen parameters of vessel traffic flows on a bend in a waterway. Assumptions within the model are based on the geometrical dependences and, for a significant part, on expert experience and real life manoeuvring tactics. The work is focused on the analysis of coordinates of a ship, reduced to its centre of gravity, for different input and assumed output parameters. The proposed method allows also for the analysis of other parameters that influence navigational safety such as rate of turn. The results confirm the possibility of assessment of traffic flow parameters with use of the developed method. In the next stages of the work, algorithms which are capable of accounting for human factors and external conditions can be implemented.

This paper presents an original kinematic method for the assessment of the safe parameters of waterway bends. The proposed method has been based on the analysis of the results obtained through the use of the developed simulation model which allowed for the examination of all the physically available paths of a ship’s centre of gravity. The results of the simulation were divided into defined subsets that enabled the assessment of the safe parameters of waterway bends. This paper also presents the calculations that were carried out for the theoretical reference bend.