Glossary
Terms & Glossaries of Shipping and Trading
Bow Thruster
Bow Thruster is a small propeller or water-jet at the bow, used for maneuvering larger vessels at slow speed. This may be mounted externally, or in a tunnel running through the bow from side to side.
A bow thruster is simply a propulsion device located at the bow that provides lateral (port and starboard) thrust, making the vessel more maneuverable. Bow thrusters often come as standard equipment on newer pleasure boats over 45 feet, but almost any midsize vessel can be retrofitted.