Stern braking device

A stern braking device for a vessel, comprising shield means having a generally concave profile and pivotably mounted behind the propeller and the rudder of the vessel, said shield means including aperture means extending through the center of said shield means for stabilizing hydraulic fluid flow therethrough directly behind said rudder and being coaxially positioned with respect to said propeller, said aperture means having in cross-section a fluid-accelerating profile, said shield means being vertically movable from a first position within the vessel directly above said rudder, and a second position directly behind said rudder, adjustable linkage means supporting said shield means in said second position including means having a common pivot axis defined by corresponding hinge means at opposite sides of the hull of said vessel, said linkage means being coupled to support said shield means at points above and below said aperture means, and said shield means being concave both in vertical cross-section and in horizontal cross-section for deflection and redistribution of hydraulic fluid flow thereagainst.