Ballast Sea water that is pumped into the ship’s tanks to trim the ship, i.e. to ensure that she is not too high in the bow, or too high in the stern, or listing (leaning to one side) when putting to sea. Ballast is also put into a ship’s tanks to spread the weight (and…
A Port side The “left hand” side of the ship when you are on the ship and looking towards the bow. It is associated with the colour red B Starboard side The “right hand” side of the ship when you are on the ship and looking towards the bow. It is associated with the colour green C …
Hundreds of different types of cargo are moved by ship and therefore, a number of types of ship have been designed to carry the cargoes. Some are designed to carry containers filled with all sorts of cargo – bales of wool, drums of chemicals, boxes of car parts, cartons of canned food, and more. Other…
The engineroom of a large tanker. Photograph : Chief Engineer Kanwar Deep Ghei The main engine on a small products tanker. Photograph : Andrew Ingpen The engine control room on a large modern gas carrier. It is next to the engineroom. This is a very important place on a ship as the ship’s main engine(s),…
Engine Room Hatch Covers A Hatchcover (Open) B Hatchcover (Closed) C Hatch Coaming Photograph: Grindrod Wheelhouse The bridge team in position when the ship is in confined water such as a narrow strait, entering or leaving harbour, or passing through a canal. The navigating cadet – a trainee officer (in the white shirt) is checking the ship’s position on…
When on board a ship, you may need to describe the position of one object relative to another. Again strange terms apply. Abaft The Funnel (D) is ABAFT the Main Mast (E) (i.e. the funnel is more towards the stern than the Main Mast.) Aft In the diagram, the accommodation is AFT (near the stern…
When on board a ship, you may need to describe the position of an object from the ship (e.g. a lighthouse, or another ship). The following are the terms used : A Off the Port Quarter B Off the Port Beam or Abeam C Off the Port Bow D Astern E Ahead F Off the…
Here are some more terms that are used for parts of a ship. Alley Passage on a ship Bulkhead Wall or vertical partition on a ship Bunk Bed on a ship Cabin Bedroom on a ship Deck Floor on a ship Deckhead Ceiling on a ship Galley Kitchen on a ship Gangway The set of steps used to board or to disembark from…
