Merchant shipping behaviour

minute · 08-20-07, 07:46 AM

I keep wondering how much the behaviour of lone merchant ships reflects the reality of what would happen in reality. If a merchant spots your sub, or even if you inflict some damage, it will continue to keep its course in a fairly predictable way, even if it zig-zags heavily. And it can do that for days, even if you are in continuous contact with it. Wouldn't a real-life captain try to change course, maybe choose to sail to the nearest allied port for safety/repairs? I find this is particularly relevant in the Med where I am playing now, there are a lot of near-by ports, both axis and allied.

08-20-07, 07:46 AM	#1
minute Loader Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 87 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Merchant shipping behaviour I keep wondering how much the behaviour of lone merchant ships reflects the reality of what would happen in reality. If a merchant spots your sub, or even if you inflict some damage, it will continue to keep its course in a fairly predictable way, even if it zig-zags heavily. And it can do that for days, even if you are in continuous contact with it. Wouldn't a real-life captain try to change course, maybe choose to sail to the nearest allied port for safety/repairs? I find this is particularly relevant in the Med where I am playing now, there are a lot of near-by ports, both axis and allied.