Support　Vector　Machines　(SVM)　based　system　identification　is　applied　to　predict　ship　maneuvering　motion.　Different　from　the　prediction　methods　based　on　the　explicit　mathematical　model　of　ship　maneuvering　motion,　the　black-box　model　of　ship　maneuvering　motion　is　constructed　and　used　to　predict　ship　maneuvering　motion.　With　the　rudder　angle　and　the　variables　of　maneuvering　motion　as　inputs　and　the　hydrodynamic　forces　as　outputs,　the　complicated　nonlinear　functions　in　the　Abkowitz　model　are　identified;　and　the　surge　force,　sway　force　and　yaw　moment　are　predicted　blindly　by　using　the　functions　identified.　Taking　turning　test　as　example,　with　the　rudder　angle　as　inputs　and　the　maneuverability　parameters　of　turning　circles　as　outputs,　the　input-output　mappings　are　identified　and　the　maneuverability　parameters　such　as　the　advance,　the　transfer　and　the　tactical　diameter　are　also　predicted　blindly　by　using　the　identified　mappings.　Copyright　©　2010　by　ASME.