Arte Naval Cap 01 - Nomenclatura do Navio AN1_A Do Navio em Geral

Naval Art: Ship Nomenclature - Section A

General Ship Concepts

  • Ship/Vessel Definition: A ship (or vessel) is a construction made of various materials designed to transport people and/or cargo (solid or liquid) over water.

  • Barco: Is a synonym of embarcação (vessel), but is less frequently used than embarcação or navio (ship) in general, usually referring to larger vessels.

  • Use in the Navy: In the Brazilian Navy, the term "embarcação" is specifically used for vessels transported aboard ships and those used for port services.

  • Casco (Hull): The main body of the ship, excluding masts, rigging, accessories, or any other arrangements. Most hulls have a plane of symmetry, the diametral plane, imagined to pass through the keel.

  • The hull's shape impacts the ship's nautical qualities: minimal propulsion resistance, maneuverability, and platform stability.

Nautical Qualities

  • Key nautical qualities include minimal propulsion resistance, maneuverability, and platform stability.

  • Platform Stability: Encompasses static stability, damage stability, oscillation regularity, and maximum angle of stability (as detailed in Chapter 5).

    • Static Stability: The tendency of the ship to return to an upright position after an external force displaces it.

    • Damage Stability: The ship's ability to remain afloat in a controlled manner after hull damage leads to water ingress.

    • Oscillation Regularity: The characteristic of the ship to roll or pitch smoothly without abrupt motions that could harm the hull, cargo, or the safety/comfort of those onboard.

    • Maximum Angle of Stability: The largest angle of inclination a ship can reach without capsizing.

Ship Anatomy

  • Proa (Bow): The forward extremity of the ship, typically shaped to minimize air resistance.

  • Popa (Stern): The rear extremity of the ship, usually shaped to facilitate water flow from the hull, thus improving rudder and propeller efficiency.

  • Meia-Nau (Midship): The part of the hull between the bow and stern; an area with undefined boundaries. Originally, the term referred to the part of the hull near the diametral plane.

  • Bico de Proa: The extreme part of the bow of the ship.

  • Corpo de Proa (Forward Body) & Corpo de Popa (Aft Body): The forward and aft halves of the ship relative to the midship section.

  • Obras Vivas (Live Works/Underwater Hull) & Carena (Bottom/Keel): The part of the hull below the waterline at full load, which is usually or entirely submerged. Carena often replaces the term obras vivas, signifying the hull's outer layer in the underwater area.

  • Obras Mortas (Dead Works/Above Water Hull): The part of the hull above the waterline at full load, which is always out of the water.

Waterlines and Hull Features

  • Linha d'Água (Waterline): The line separating the submerged part of the hull from the unsubmerged part (obras vivas and obras mortas). It's represented by a painted stripe on the hull from bow to stern, with its lower edge indicating the light floating line.

  • Fundo do Navio (Bottom of the Ship): The lower part of the hull from the keel to the bilge. A flat-bottomed ship is said to have a "fundo de prato" (dish-shaped bottom).

  • Bojo (Bilge): The part of the hull that transitions between the bottom and the side, can be curved or straight.

  • Costado (Side): The lateral part of the hull between the bilge and the highest deck. In older editions it was the hull's outer layer above the waterline. The new definition applies whether the waterline is marked or not.

  • Forro Exterior (Outer Plating): Currently referred to as chapeamento (plating).

  • Forro Interior do Fundo (Inner Bottom Plating): The ceiling of the double bottom.

Hull Details

  • Bochechas (Cheeks): The curved parts of the side of the hull near the stem (roda de proa) on either side.

  • Amura (Bow): Same as bochecha (cheek), but can also indicate any direction between the bow and the beam (través).

  • Través (Beam): The direction normal to the longitudinal plane of the ship.

  • Borda (Edge/Rail): The upper limit of the side of the ship. It can terminate at the level of the deck or be slightly elevated (borda falsa - false rail).

  • Borda Falsa (False Rail): A lightweight structure on exposed decks to prevent objects or people from falling overboard.

  • Murada (Bulwark): An outdated term referring to the internal part of the sides, commonly used for the inner part of the false rail.

  • Aletas (Quarters): The curved parts of the hull's side near the stern on either side.

  • Painel de Popa (Stern Panel): Part of the hull's side at the stern.

  • Grinalda (Taffrail): The upper part of the stern panel.

  • Almeida (Counter): The curved part of the hull at the stern, just below the panel, forming an obtuse angle or curvature with the panel.

  • Delgados (Runs): The tapered parts of the bottom of the ship forward and aft of the stem and sternpost, respectively.

  • Cinta (Girdle/Sheer Strake): A continuous strake of plating at the level of the strength deck, usually thicker than adjacent strakes, important for longitudinal structural strength. Typically at the level of the main deck.

  • Resbordo (Garboard Strake): The first strake of plating or planking on the outside of the bottom, on either side of the keel.

  • Calcanhar (Heel/Skeg): A protruding part formed at the bottom of some ships by the foot of the sternpost and the extreme aft part of the keel. Common in ships with compensated rudders for improved course stability. It also provides support for docking spurs in the stern area.

  • Bolso do Eixo (Shaft Bossing): A bulge formed in the bottom of some ships around the propeller shaft, typically for twin-screw ships.

  • Balanço de Proa (Bow Overhang): The part of the bow projecting forward of the keel.

  • Balanço de Popa (Stern Overhang): The part of the stern projecting aft of the keel.

Superstructures and Other Features

  • Superestrutura (Superstructure): A structure built on the main deck with its sides extending from the side of the hull, no more than 4% of the ship's beam inward. If the superstructure's sides are farther than 4% of the beam away from the hull's side, it's called a casaria.

  • Casaria (Deckhouse): A space used for cabins, galleys, bathrooms, and other accommodations.

  • Castelo de Proa (Forecastle): A superstructure at the extreme forward part of the ship, sometimes with an elevated rail.

  • Superestrutura Central (Central Superstructure): Located amidships.

  • Poço (Well): The space between the forecastle or poop and the central superstructure, bounded by the deck, false rails, and the bulkheads of the forecastle/poop and the central superstructure.

  • Superestrutura Lateral (Lateral Superstructure): A superstructure located along the sides of the ship, as seen on aircraft carriers.

  • Contrafeito (Waist): A recessed part in the ship's side to accommodate artillery, boats (on warships), or cargo (on merchant ships); an outdated term.

  • Contrassopro (Splinter Shield): A plate shield on some warships to protect the gun crew.

  • Jardim de Popa (Stern Gallery): A type of balcony on the stern of old warships, connected to the commander's quarters.

  • Recesso (Recess): A concavity made in a bulkhead, bottom, side, or deck to house equipment or improve onboard arrangement. An example is the recess of the tunnel shaft.

  • Talhamar (Stem): On wooden ships, a combination of wooden pieces forming a body that protrudes at the top of the stem. It supports the bowsprit and adds elegance to the bow. On steel ships, it's part of the stem. Common on sailing ships and some propeller-driven ships.

  • Apêndices (Appendages): Relatively small parts of the hull that project beyond the outer surface of the keel's plating, such as the protruding part of the solid keel, rudder, skeg, strut, etc.