In this paper, the lateral motions of a ship in the time domain are treated by applying the Impulse Response Function Technique. The acceleration, and displacement of a ship in the time domain are needed for the purpose of such automatic controls as the fire control system and the auto-pilot of ocean-going vessels, etc. The response Amplitude Operators of a ship are calculated by the Strip Method of Salvesen-Tuck-Faltinsen, and the Pierson-Moskowitz Spectrum multiplied by spreading function is used to represent the short crested ocean waves. The ocean wave elevations in the time domain are simulated according to the Method of Borgman. Finally the rudder effect is considered by simply adding the force and moment due to the rudder to the wave exciting force. And the results of lateral motions with and without rudder are shown.