Correction of Ships’ Steering Angle for Safe Maneuvering Against Strong Winds Using Microcontroller

The maritime industry, which handles approximately 80% of global trade volume, faces significant challenges from adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds. Over-steering with the strong wind condition will increase the risk of capsizing, leading to substantial economic and human losses. This paper develops a microcontroller-based system to correct ships’ steering angles in real-time based on wind conditions, thereby enhancing navigational safety. The system utilizes wind speed and direction transducers, gyro modules, and GPS receivers to continuously monitor environmental conditions and navigational parameters. The data are processed by a microcontroller using a developed mathematical model which assess wind impact on the ship’s motion and calculates necessary adjustments to the steering angle to counteract wind forces, ensuring stable and safe manoeuvring. Key factors in the model include wind force, circular motion force, and heel angle, providing a comprehensive assessment of ship stability under varying wind conditions. The system is designed to work with existing steering mechanisms, ensuring cost-effectiveness and ease of implementation. Simulations demonstrate the system ability to predict and correct steering angles accurately, reducing the risk of over-steering and capsizing. Rigorous testing validates the system performance, showing significant improvements in navigational safety under strong wind conditions. The proposed solution offers a robust method to enhance maritime safety, protecting both crew and cargo.