diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1bb88fe..a7cff8d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ Required variables (no default values provided):
 
 Recommended variables (default values provided but might be inaccurate/unsuitable):
 - `BOAT_DRAUGHT`: in m
+- `BOAT_ROUGHNESS_DISTRIBUTION_LEVEL`: numeric value (default: 1)
+- `BOAT_ROUGHNESS_LEVEL`: numeric value (default: 1)
 - `BOAT_SPEED`: in m/s
 - `DATA_MODE`: options: 'automatic', 'from_file', 'odc'
 
diff --git a/WeatherRoutingTool/config.py b/WeatherRoutingTool/config.py
index d14d47f..43486ff 100644
--- a/WeatherRoutingTool/config.py
+++ b/WeatherRoutingTool/config.py
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
 
 RECOMMENDED_CONFIG_VARIABLES = {
     'BOAT_DRAUGHT': 10,
+    'BOAT_ROUGHNESS_DISTRIBUTION_LEVEL': 1,
+    'BOAT_ROUGHNESS_LEVEL': 1,
     'BOAT_SPEED': 6,
     'DATA_MODE': 'automatic'
 }
@@ -51,6 +53,8 @@ def __init__(self, init_mode='from_json', file_name=None, config_dict=None):
         # Details in README
         self.ALGORITHM_TYPE = None  # options: 'isofuel', 'genetic', 'speedy_isobased'
         self.BOAT_DRAUGHT = None  # in m
+        self.BOAT_ROUGHNESS_DISTRIBUTION_LEVEL = None  # numeric value
+        self.BOAT_ROUGHNESS_LEVEL = None  # level of hull roughness, numeric value
         self.BOAT_SPEED = None  # in m/s
         self.CONSTRAINTS_LIST = None  # options: 'land_crossing_global_land_mask', 'land_crossing_polygons', 'seamarks',
         # 'water_depth', 'on_map', 'via_waypoints'
diff --git a/WeatherRoutingTool/ship/ship.py b/WeatherRoutingTool/ship/ship.py
index fb404ba..caef31c 100644
--- a/WeatherRoutingTool/ship/ship.py
+++ b/WeatherRoutingTool/ship/ship.py
@@ -126,6 +126,8 @@ def __init__(self, config):
 
         self.hydro_model = mariPower.ship.CBT()
         self.hydro_model.Draught = np.array([config.BOAT_DRAUGHT])
+        self.hydro_model.Roughness_Level = np.array([config.BOAT_ROUGHNESS_LEVEL])
+        self.hydro_model.Roughness_Distribution_Level = np.array([config.BOAT_ROUGHNESS_DISTRIBUTION_LEVEL])
         self.use_depth_data = False
 
     def set_ship_property(self, variable, value):