Entry into the port of Istanbul via the North Channel with a 1.3-knot southbound current.
I intend to berth my vessel starboard side to the South Mole’s dolphin to enable crane operations.
I will approach the berth after clearing the vessel to port in the South Basin.
At this stage, I observe no inconsistencies with the current’s effect—it pushes the vessel slightly, as expected, against the outer breakwater and southward during the turn.
When presenting the vessel to the berth at very low speed (with the current on the bow), I deploy an after spring line and a forward breast line.
At this point, with the engine stopped, I expect:
The current to slow the vessel and push it astern,
The lines to tighten and pull the ship alongside the quay.
However, inconsistencies arise:
The current does slow the vessel, but once the lines are deployed, the simulator seems to consider the ship already in position—it does not drift astern under the current’s effect, and both lines remain perpendicular.
Readings at this moment:
STW: 1.2–1.3 knots (appears correct),
SOG: 0.1 knots (would only be consistent if the ship were already secured alongside with both lines leading forward, but they are perpendicular),
Transverse speed: 0.5 knots at the bow, 0.6 knots at the stern (these values seem plausible, yet no transverse movement is visible).
Water depth: >3.5 m (no issue).
Additionally, I noted that the lines break under the current’s force alone—their MBL (Minimum Breaking Load) should be reviewed.
Finally, the SOG (Speed Over Ground) display lacks a sign indicator, making it impossible to determine whether the vessel is moving ahead or astern. A small detail I forgot to mention earlier: when I noted that SOG does not indicate direction (whether the ship is moving forward or backward), I was referring to the SOG in the conning display.
Would it be possible to modify this display by either:
Adding an arrow (as is done for STW), or
Using color coding (e.g., green for ahead, red for astern)?