The article considers the ship shaft line as a complex dynamic system influencing the operation of the ship. There has been given a diagram of the shaft line with one stern bearing and one remote bearing of the propeller shaft. The shaft line service life depends on the material of the slide bearing of the stern gear (lignum vitae, babbitt, textolite, caprolon, bronze, polyurethanes, rubber). The analysis of the research of static and dynamic calculations of ship shafting has been carried out. The design scheme of the ship shafting on elastic point supports is presented. It has been referred to consider feasibility of the elastic and mechanical properties of stern bearings at the stage of designing a ship shaft line. The method of calculating the transverse vibrations of the shaft line is studied, the purpose of which is to determine the natural frequency. The formula for calculating the lowest natural frequency of bending vibrations is given. The results of experimental studies at the KMV-200 stand based on uneven distribution of loads along the stern bearings are considered. It has been suggested that the greater the wear, the lower the stiffness coefficient. At a certain degree of wear of stern bearings, a resonance phenomenon occurs at the lowest operating frequencies. The value of the stiffness coefficient is studied depending on the modulus of elasticity of the stern bearing material. Static analysis of the ship shaft line was made taking into account the stiffness coefficient of the stern bearing. The universal equation of the curved axis of the beam is used according to the initial parameters method. As it has been found, the greater the deflection at the propeller attachment point, the lower the natural frequency of the transverse vibrations of the shaft line. In calculations it is necessary to take into account the separation of the shaft line from the stern bearing, since it helps to reduce the natural frequency and the appearing resonance during transverse vibrations.