Vocabulary Flashcards: Container Ships, Hull, and Ship Systems

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering container ships, hull features, decks, and common ship equipment.

Containerization

The process of sending shipments in standardized containers for intermodal transport.

Container ship

A merchant vessel designed to carry standardized containers.

RoRo ship

A vessel designed to carry wheeled cargo that can be driven on and off the ship.

Bulk carrier

A ship designed to carry unpackaged dry bulk cargo like coal, grains, and ores.

Tanker

A vessel that transports liquids such as crude oil, chemicals, and LNG.

Bulkhead

A vertical partition inside the hull that divides the ship into compartments and can be watertight.

Collision bulkhead

A watertight bulkhead located at the bow to prevent flooding after a collision.

Watertight bulkhead

A bulkhead that prevents the passage of water in the event of flooding.

Weathertight bulkhead

A bulkhead designed to prevent water entry from waves and weather.

Bow

The forward end of a ship.

Stern

The rear end of a ship.

Keel

The structural backbone running along the bottom centerline of the hull.

Hull

The main body of the ship.

Beam

The width of a ship at its widest point.

Draft

The vertical distance from the waterline to the keel.

Freeboard

The distance from the waterline to the upper deck.

Camber

The transverse upward curve of a deck to aid drainage.

Sheer

The longitudinal upward curve of the deck toward the bow or stern.

Tumblehome

The inward slope of the ship’s sides above the waterline.

Foredeck

The forward deck area of the ship.

Forecastle

The forward part of the ship, often housing crew accommodations.

Monkey island

A platform above the bridge that houses navigation equipment.

Mast

A vertical pole carrying lights, radar, and antennas.

Bridge

The ship’s navigation and control center.

Funnel

The ship’s smokestack; exhaust outlet for the engines.

Accommodation block

Living and working spaces for the crew.

Galley

The ship’s kitchen.

Mess room

The crew’s dining area.

Chart room

A room near the bridge for navigation charts.

Compass

An instrument showing the ship’s heading.

Radar

System used to detect other ships and land.

Lifeboat

An emergency boat used if abandoning ship.

Davits

Cranes used to launch and recover lifeboats.

Lifebuoy

A ring-shaped flotation device used to aid a person overboard.

Mooring lines

Ropes or cables used to secure the vessel to a quay or bollard.

Capstan

A drum used to wind up ropes or cables for heavy lifting.

Winch

A mechanical device used for pulling or lifting loads.

Bollards

Posts on deck to secure mooring lines.

Fairleads

Guides that direct mooring lines and reduce chafing.

Windlass

The mechanism used to raise and lower the anchor.

Hawse pipe

The pipe through which the anchor chain passes.

Chain locker

A compartment where the anchor chain is stored when not in use.

Hatch covers

Panels that seal cargo holds to protect them from weather and water.

Hatch coamings

Raised edges around hatch openings to prevent water entry.

Watertight door

A door designed to be watertight to prevent flooding.

Ballast tanks

Tanks used to provide stability and trim to the ship.

Double bottom

A bottom space between the inner and outer bottom for safety and ballast.

Engine room

The space that houses the propulsion machinery.

Forepeak tank

A ballast tank located at the bow of the ship.

Poop deck

A deck at the stern, often above the captain’s cabin.

Boat deck

A deck above the main deck, used for crew access or lifeboats.

Main deck

The uppermost continuous deck of the ship.

Deckhouse

A structure on deck that houses crew or equipment.

Forecastle deck

Another term for forecastle deck.

Bulbous bow

A projecting bulb on the bow to improve water flow and reduce drag.

Forward perpendicular

The forwardmost vertical line on the waterline used in design.

Rudder

The steering control surface located at the stern used to direct the ship.

Propeller

The rotating blades that propel the vessel through the water.

Fixed pitch propeller

A propeller with blades fixed at a set angle.

Controllable pitch propeller

A propeller whose blade angle can be adjusted during operation.