Ships measurement

LENGTH
A ship's Length Overall [LOA] is measured in feet and inches from the
extreme forward end of the bow to the extreme aft end of the stern.
Length Between Perpendiculars [LBP] is measured in feet and
inches from the forward surface of the stem, or main bow
perpendicular member, to the after surface of the sternpost, or main
stern perpendicular member.
Length on Load Waterline [LWL] is an important dimension because
length at the waterline is a key factor in the complex problem of speed,
resistance, and friction.
On vessels with a counter stern, the LWL and LBP can be the same or
about the same. On a ship with a cruiser stern, the LWL is greater than
the LBP.
WIDTH
A ship's width or, more properly, a ship's breadth is expressed in a
number of ways.
A ship's extreme breadth, commonly called beam, is measured in feet
and inches from the most outboard point on one side to the most
outboard point on the other at the widest point on the ship.
DEPTH
The depth of a vessel involves several vertical dimensions: freeboard,
draft, draft marks, and load lines.
The vessel's depth is measured vertically from the lowest point of the
hull, ordinarily from the bottom of the keel, to the side of any deck that
you may choose as a reference point.
It has to be stated in specific terms such as depth to upper deck
amidships.

Draft

The draft aft (stern) is measured in the

perpendicular of the stern.

air draft

freeboard

The draft forward (bow (ship)) is measured in

the perpendicular of the bow.

The mean draft is obtained by calculating from

the averaging of the stern and bow drafts, with
correction for water level variation and value of
the position of F with respect to the average
draft / draught perpendicular.

under keel clearance (UKC)

The draft of a ship can be affected by multiple

factors, not considering the rise and fall of the
ship by displacement:
Draft variation by list.
Draft variation by water level change.
Allowance of fresh water draft variation by
passage from fresh to sea water or vice versa.

Draft mark at the bow

Heat variation in navigating shallow waters.

WEIGHT TONNAGE TERMS

DISPLACEMENT (W) - The weight of water of the displaced volume of the ship, which equals the weight of the
ship and cargo. In other words: it is the weight of the volume of water displaced by the hull.

DEADWEIGHT - total weight of cargo, stores, fuel and water needed to submerge a ship from her light draught
to her maximum permitted draught; it is given by the difference between the load displacement and light
displacement (also known as lightweight). DWT for short

GROSS TONNAGE - Gross Tonnage is a measure of volume inside a vessel. This includes all areas from keel to
funnel and bow to stern. Gross tonnage is the complete physical volume of space a cargo ship's hold has The
means to calculate gross tonnage is laid out in the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of
Ships. Gross Tonnage is used to determine the number of crew, safety rules, registration fees, and port dues. It
is the standard most often used to define a vessel.

NET TONNAGE - The tonnage most frequently used for the calculation of tonnage taxes and the assessment of
charges for wharfage and other port dues. Net tonnage is obtained by deducting from the gross tonnage, crew
and navigating spaces and an allowance for the space occupied by the propelling machinery.
Net tonnage is a method of calculation for how much cargo space a ship has. It is not a measure of weight or
mass, or the displacement weight of a ship, but instead a volume measurement. Each ton in a net tonnage
figure is equivalent to 100 cubic feet (2.83 cubic meters) of space.
CARGO DEADWEIGHT - Capacity is determined by deducting from total deadweight the weight of fuel, water,
stores, dunnage, crew passengers, and other items necessary for use on a voyage.

Buoyancy

Buoyancy (uzgon broda) - the upward

push of water pressure, equal to the
weight of the volume of water the ship
displaces (W).
Centre of Gravity (G). The centre of all
mass of the ship, acting vertically
downward.
Centre of Buoyancy (B). The geometric
centre of the submerged hull, acting
vertically upward.
Metacentre (M). When the ship is
inclined at small angles, the metacentre
is the intersection of the buoyant force
with the ship centreline.

If the metacentre is above the centre of

gravity then the ship is stable.
The upthrust, or buoyancy, keeps
ships afloat.

 The centre of buoyancy B, is the centre

of the volume of water which the hull
displaces.
The centre of gravity of the ship itself is
known as G in naval architecture.

When a ship is at rest in calm water,

the forces of buoyancy (B) and gravity
(G) are equal and lie in the same
vertical line.
The centre of buoyancy, being the
geometric centre of the ships
underwater body, lies on the centreline
and usually near the midship section,
and its vertical height is usually a little
more than half the draft.

As the draft INCREASES, B rises with

respect to the keel.

When a ship is stable, the centre of

buoyancy is vertically in-line with the
cent.
The metacentre M is the point where the
lines intersect (at angle ) of the
upward force of buoyancy of d.
When the ship is vertical it lies above
the centre of gravity and so moves in
the opposite direction of heel as the
ship rolls.
When a ship is heeled, the centre of
buoyancy of the ship moves laterally.