Shipboard Ship’s Nomenclature

Definitions of shipboard parts, measurement terms, and onboard equipment based on the lecture transcript.

SHIP

Generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity.

VESSEL

A craft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

LENGTH OVERALL (LOA)

The length of a ship measured from the extreme forward end to the aftermost point of the stern.

LENGTH BETWEEN PERPENDICULARS (LBP)

The length of a ship measured from the forward perpendicular to the after perpendicular.

FREEBOARD

The vertical distance between the waterline and the topmost watertight deck (Main Deck).

DRAFT

The vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull (keel).

DEPTH

The vertical distance between the Main Deck and the keel.

BRIDGE

A pilothouse or wheelhouse; a room or platform of a ship from which the ship can be commanded.

ENGINE ROOM

The compartment where the machinery for marine propulsion is located.

HELIDECK

A platform allowing helicopters to land and take off.

HELIHANGAR

An area created specifically to protect civil and military aviation helicopters in aircraft from sunlight and inclement weather.

FORECASTLE

The forward deck of the ship, also referred to as fo'c's'le.

FANTAIL

The rear or aft deck of the ship.

SUPERSTRUCTURE

An upward extension of an existing structure above a baseline, consisting of the parts of the ship that project above her main deck.

KEEL

The bottom-most longitudinal structural element on a watercraft.

ANCHOR

Used to secure a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current.

BOAT DAVIT

Any of various crane-like devices used on a ship for supporting, raising, and lowering equipment such as boats.

FUNNEL

The smokestack or chimney on a ship used to expel boiler steam and smoke or engine exhaust, also known as STACKS.

ACCOMODATION

Place where crews and passengers will be accommodated.

PORT SIDE

Towards the left-hand side of the ship facing forward.

STARBOARD SIDE

Towards the right-hand side of the ship facing forward.

BOLLARD

Highly stable and provide secured tie-up points for mooring lines.

BITTS

Double bollards or posts mounted vertically on ships to secure mooring lines from other vessels.

ANCHOR WINDLASS

A machine that restrains and manipulates the anchor chain on a ship, allowing the anchor to be raised and lowered by means of chain cable.

MOORING WINCH

Hydraulic, electric, or steam machine on a ship used to haul in mooring lines when securing the ship to a pier or wharf.

JACK FLAG

Flags flown at the front (bow) of vessels.

JACK STAFF

A relatively small pole on the very front of all vessels.

GANGPPLANK

A short bridge or platform that can be placed between the side of a ship or boat and the shore, so that people can get on or off.

WARDROOM

The mess cabin or compartment on military vessel for commissioned officers.

CREWS MESS

Dining area where ship crew members have their breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

PORT HOLE

A generally circular window used on the hull of ships to admit light and air; abbreviated from "port hole window".

LIFE RAFTS

An emergency survival craft carried on ships designed to keep crew and passengers alive after abandoning a vessel in distress.

HEAD

Compartment of a ship having toilet facilities.

NATIONAL ENSIGN

The largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port.

BULBOUS BOW

A protruding bulb at the bow (or front) of a ship just below the waterline.

RUDDER

A vertical blade at the stern of a vessel that can be turned horizontally to change the vessel’s direction when in motion.

PRPOPELLER

A rotating device which drives a ship through the water.

GALLEY

A cook room or kitchen.

ARMORY

A place where weapons are kept.

BRIG

Temporary confinement for prison aboard ship.

BRIEFING ROOM

A room where meeting and briefing is conducted.

DECK DECOMPRESSOR CHAMBER

Used to treat divers suffering from certain diving disorders such as decompression sickness.

BOW THRUSTER

A transversal propulsion device built into, or mounted to, the bow of a ship or boat to make it more maneuverable.

MOORING LINE

A strong rope or line used to secure a ship to a dock, pier, buoy, or another vessel.

HEAVING LINE

A light, thin rope used aboard ships to pass a heavier rope, mooring line, or towing line from one point to another.

MESSENGER LINE

A small rope used to pull or guide a larger and heavier rope, wire, cable, or hawser into position.

FAIRLEAD OR ROLLER FAIRLEAD

A shipboard fitting used to guide mooring ropes, towing wires, or cables safely from the ship to the shore or another vessel.

External Fire Fighting Monitor (EFFM)

A powerful firefighting device designed to discharge large amounts of water or foam onto external fires.

WATER GUN

A high-pressure firefighting device designed to project a strong stream or spray of water over long distances to control and extinguish fires.

RHIB (RIGID HULL INFLATABLE BOAT)

A fast, lightweight, and highly maneuverable boat with a solid rigid hull and inflatable tubes along its sides.

TOWING WINCH

A heavy-duty mechanical device used to handle towing lines or wires during towing operations at sea.

helicopter towing winch

A deck mounted mechanical hoisting system used to assist helicopter operations over ships, mainly for search and rescue (SAR), personnel transfer, and emergency recovery operations.

Yokohama fender

A large cylindrical pneumatic (air-filled) rubber fender used on ships and port structures to absorb impact energy during berthing or ship-to-ship contact.

DECK CRANE

A heavy-duty lifting machine installed on the main deck used for loading, unloading, and moving cargo and heavy equipment on board or between the ship and shore.

accommodation ladder

A portable or fixed stair-like access system used to allow safe movement of crew, pilots, surveyors, and visitors between the ship and the shore or another vessel.