629. A vessel traveling down a narrow channel, especially if the draft is nearly equal to the depth of the water, may set off the nearer side. What is the name of this effect?

Bank cushion is the lateral force that pushes a ship's bow away from a nearby bank in a narrow channel. This effect occurs when water flow between the ship's bow and the bank increases pressure against the bow, unlike bank suction which pulls the stern toward the bank, squat which refers to a change in draft, or 'smelling the bottom' which indicates shallow water.