noun
- the minimum forward speed of a ship or boat necessary to maintain steering control
Usage: nautical
Examples
- The captain maintained just enough steerageway to navigate through the narrow channel.
- Without steerageway, the vessel began to drift sideways in the current.
- The sailboat lost steerageway when the wind died completely.
- Even in calm waters, the ship needed steerageway to respond to the helm.
- The tugboat reduced speed but kept steerageway to guide the barge safely to port.
- Loss of steerageway made it impossible to avoid the floating debris.