Abstract: Disclosed are methods and techniques related to the control of pipelaying operations from a self-propelled reel pipelaying vessel. The methods are concerned with (1) controlling pipeline geometry as a function of pipe entry angle into the water and tension on the pipeline; (2) monitoring the excursion of the pipeline outside certain defined limits and controlling the pipeline geometry based on such measured excursions; and (3) compensating for pipeline induced turning moments which would otherwise tend to draw the pipelaying vessel off course and off the predetermined pipeline right of way.