2.0 Identifying parts of the vessel on diagrams

Introduction: a multi-purpose dry cargo ship

The Capricorn is a multi-purpose dry cargo ship of 6,600 DWT. She carries containers, general cargo, e.g. metal in coils, rolls of paper, and bulk cargo such as grain, coal, ore, fertilizers. The following are some of its main particulars:

Length: 118.5 metres. Breadth: 15.2 metres.

Draught: 6.3 metres. Speed in full load: 14 knots

Lead-in: Identify the bow, the stern, the forecastle, the hatches and the cargo holds in the next figure.

Terminology Development

The diagram above gives you a profile view sketching different parts of a vessel. 

1. Bow: The bow refers to the front section of the ship. In this context, it mentions the bulbous bow, which is a protruding, bulb-shaped structure located at the front underwater part of the ship. Inside the bulbous bow, there is a forepeak tank used for storing water for ballasting or adjusting the ship's trim.

2. Forecastle (foredeck): The forecastle is the forward part of the upper deck of a ship. On the forecastle deck superstructure, there is the windlass for the anchor. The windlass is a mechanical device used for raising and lowering the ship's anchor.

3. Main Deck: The main deck is the primary, open deck on a ship. On the open main deck, large watertight hatch covers are present over the hatches that lead down to the cargo holds below. These hatch covers protect the cargo holds from water and weather.

4. Cranes: A geared vessel has its own cranes. Cranes are mechanical devices used for lifting and moving cargo. They are essential for loading and discharging goods onto and from the ship.

5. Bridge: Towards the stern of most modern merchant vessels, there is the superstructure which houses the accommodation and the navigation bridge. The bridge is a command center where the ship is navigated and controlled. It contains navigation equipment, controls, and provides a vantage point for the ship's officers.

6. Funnels: On top of the superstructure and aft of the main mast are the funnels. Funnels are structures that release exhaust gases from the ship's engine room into the air. They play a crucial role in expelling the byproducts of the ship's propulsion system.

7. Stern: The stern is the rear part of the ship. On most modern merchant vessels, the superstructure, accommodation, and navigation bridge are located towards the stern of the ship.

8. Rudder: The rudder is a tool for changing the course or heading of the ship when it moves through the water. It is typically located at the stern and is controlled from the bridge.

9. Poop Deck: Aft of the funnels is the poop deck. The poop deck is an elevated deck at the stern of the ship. It often houses a second set of mooring winches and provides a vantage point.

10. Superstructure: The superstructure is the structure above the main deck that houses various components such as accommodation, the navigation bridge, and funnels.

11. Cargo Holds: Cargo holds are spaces below the main deck where cargo is stored during transportation. Strong vertical bulkheads separate the holds from each other.

12. Vertical Bulkheads: Vertical bulkheads are strong, vertical partitions that separate the cargo holds from each other. They provide structural integrity to the ship and prevent the spread of water in case of leakage.

13. Tween-Decks: Holds can have removable tween-decks with their own hatches and tween deck hatch covers. Tween-decks are additional deck levels within the cargo holds. They separate the hold into a lower hold and an upper hold to store different kinds of cargoes.

14. Hatch Covers: Large watertight hatch covers are present on the main deck, covering the hatches that lead down to the cargo holds. These covers provide protection to the cargo holds from water and external elements.

Closed hatches and Hatch covers

What is a hatch?

A hatch is like a door on a ship that opens to a lower part, usually a storage area called a hold. To open hatches, special cranes are used, or they can slide to the sides like a sliding door.

Anchor Windlass

What is a anchor windlass?

The anchor windlass is like a machine on the front part of the ship called the forecastle. It helps keep the ship steady when it's waiting at the anchorage area near the port. This is where ships wait before moving to the dock to load or unload cargo. The windlass is also used to manage the ropes that tie the ship to the dock. So, it's important for keeping the ship in place both out at sea and when it's in the port.

1. bow: the front part of a vessel

2. stern: the rear of a vessel

3. hatch: the opening on the deck of a vessel that provides access to the cargo hold

4. cargo hold: space where cargo is loaded

5. forward: towards the bow, at or near the bow

6. aft: towards the stern, at or near the stern

7. ballasting: using water as ballast (in ballast tanks) for keeping the ship stable

8. trimming: to balance a ship by shifting its cargo

9. watertight: constructed so tightly as not to leak any water

10. vertical: the opposite of horizontal

11. separate: divide, come between

12. increase: become greater, larger unloading

13. discharging mooring: securing a vessel by cables, wires or ropes to a dock or to a buoy or anchoring with 2 anchors

14. mooring winch: a machine on a ship used to haul in mooring lines when securing the ship to a pier / wharf/ quay

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