1046-Marine Vessel Hull Type

Term Definition
Aft Back end of a vessel.
Amidships Middle of a vessel.
Anchor Winch used to lower and raise the anchor and chain aboard the vessel.
Windlass
Bollard Deck attachment used in tying up the vessel to a dock or other structure.
Bow The forward end of the vessel.
Bulkwark A wall-like structure that is installed instead of piping or chains to keep
personnel and equipment from going overboard.
Chines A corner or knuckle in the hull form, continuous over a significant length of the
vessel.
Cleat Deck attachment used in tying up the vessel to a dock or other structure.
Displacement The weight or volume of a fluid displaced by a floating body, used especially as
a measurement of the weight or bulk of ships.
Displacement Type of hull with rounded and tapered sterns. Often has "Wine Glass" Profile,
Hull Verticle Bow, Deep Draft and a Large Keel.
Draft The depth of the ship below the waterline, measured vertically to the lowest part
of the hull, propellers, or other reference point. When measured to the lowest
projecting portion of the vessel, it is called the extreme draft, when measured at
the bow it is called the forward draft, and when measured from the stern, it is
called the after draft. The average between the forward draft and the after draft
is called the mean draft, and when the vessel is fully loaded it is called the load
draft.
Forcastle A superstructure fitted at the extreme forward end of the upper deck.
Freeboard The distance from the waterline to the upper surface of the freeboard deck at
side.
Hull The frame or body of a ship, exclusive of masts, engines, or superstructure.
Light Ship Weight of a ship with no fuel, persons, cargo, and water on board
Tonnage
Loaded Water The distance measured from the point where the forward edge of the bow meets
Line Length the waters surface to where the edge of the stern meets the waters surface.
This distance is measured when the vessel is loaded to its normal capacity.
Main Deck The main platform corresponding to a floor in a building. On this crew boat, the
main deck is the cargo deck.
Planning Hull Hull type that allows the vessel to rise out of the water.
Port Beam Left side of a vessel.
Semi- Hull type combines the characteristics of a displacement hull for stability and a
Displacement planing hull for higher speed. Often has a vertical bow, "Champagne Glass"
Hull profile, flat and squared stern, includes chines and may include a keel.
Starboard Right side of a vessel.
Beam
Stern Back end of a vessel.
Upper Deck A platform or floor above the main deck.
Vibration A rapid linear motion of a particle or of an elastic solid about an equilibrium
position.