Nautical terms and vessel terminology

Lessen Plan Title: Nautical terms and vessel terminology

Trainer Name:

Training Time: 30 minutes

Prerequisites:

  • Reading: Chapter 3
  • Modules:

Audience: West African fisheries observers

Equipment: (include associated file names (e.g. ppt))

  • AV: LCD projector, computer, laser pointer,
  • Software: MS Powerpoint, MS Word,
  • Files: v1.2_LP_nautical_terms.doc, v1.2_nautical_vessel_terms.ppt
  • Gear: blow-up or toy boat
  • Activity: None

Detailed text associated with ppt presentation)Note: any text in italics is additional information for the trainer and is not intended to be part of the lesson plan. Answers to the questions asked are in orange text.

Slide 1 - Introduction

The maritime industry uses specialized terminology in reference to vessel parts and activities. You will need to be familiar with this new ‘language’.

Slide 2 - Objectives: By the end of this module, you will be able to

  • Define 4 terms relating to directionality on a vessel
  • Delineate 3 vessel dimensions
  • Describe the function of 5 structures
  • Identify at least 3 vessel spaces

Slide 3 -

Let’s begin with terms relating to vessel orientation. On any vessel, the bow is the section toward the front of the ship, the stern is the back end and athwartships is the center line. When facing the bow, the left side of the ship is the port side and right is starboard. In the photograph, which side of the vessel is facing us? [port]

Slide 4–Terms for directionality differ depending on whether you are referring to directionalityonboard the vessel or off the vessel. You would use forward (or fore) and aft when referring to anything on the vessel. In the photo, the bridge, or wheelhouse, is located forward on the vessel. Ahead refers to the space in front of the vessel, astern to the space behind the vessel and abeam to the space off to the sides of the vessel.

Slide 5– there are standard terms for a vessels dimensions. The overall length (LOA) is defined as the distance from the tip of the bow to the aft portion of the stern.

*A vessel’s beam is its width at its widest point and

*the draft is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull. Draft is how deep the vessel is sitting in the water. Why would the captain need to know the vessel’s draft? [you need to know the shallowest depth the vessel can operate in without running aground]

*Freeboard is defined as the distance from the waterline to the first deck

Slide 6–Vessel spaces also have specific terms. The hull is the shell of the ship and is typically constructed of wood, steel, aluminum or fiberglass.

Slide 7– The bilge is the interior of the hull.

*A deck is a permanent covering over a compartment or hull. Most of your vessels will have only 1 main deck. [Time permitting – LOP trainer – ask prior observers if there are exceptions (e.g. Eros)]

*A hatch is any opening in a boat’s deck – ideally, this is water tight.

Slide 8– the rudder is a vertical plate or board that is used for steering the boat and the propeller (or screw) is a type of fan that transmits power by converting rotational motion into thrust.

Slide 9–The scuppers are drains on the deck[ include any local terms that are different]

Slide 10– Vessel spaces & other structures: Primary vessel navigation occurs on the Bridge ( or wheelhouse / pilot house )

Slide 11– Engine room is usually on a lower deck and is where the engines are located

Slide 12– The galley (or mess)is where cooking and/or eating occurs. LOP staff – you may want to incorporate photos from Liberia vessels here & in the next few slides. Be sure to credit the photographer.

Slide 13– The space where the marine toilet is located is called the ‘head’

Slide 14– a cabin is a room for sleepinga bunk is what you sleep on (ie your bed)

Slide 15– a bulkhead is any upright wall within the hull of the ship and a passageway is a hallway.

Slide 16– The A-frame or gantry is the A-shaped structure used to assist with lifting codends & other heavy objects

Slide 17– a Winchis device used to haul line, cable, heavy objects

Slide 18– a Blockis a pully or set of pulleys

Slide 19– the gangplank is a movable bridge used in boarding or leaving a ship at a pier. These are not common in Liberia.

Slide 20– The bow thrusteris a small propeller at the bow, used for fine maneuvering (e.g. at a dock)

Slide 21 – Summary or summary questions: Review the main objectives

  • Name some terms relating to directionality on a vessel
  1. Ahead
  2. Forward
  3. Aft
  4. Astern

Slide 22 – Summary

  • Define 3 vessel dimensions
  • LOA
  • Beam
  • Draft

Slide 23 – Summary

  • Do these vessel have a deck? [NO] A hull? [YES]

Slide 24 – Summary

  • What are these & what is their function? [propellers – “propel” vessel forward (or backward)]

Slide 25 – Summary

  • What is the function of this space? [Wheelhouse or bridge is where vessel navigation occurs]

Slide 26 – Summary

  1. Scuppers
  2. Winch
  3. Fish hold [the last is a trick question because it was not covered earlier]

Slide 27 & 28 – Summary

Match the vessel locations with the appropriate definition

[go thru each individually – answers in slide 28]

Head - Toilet

Bunk – place to sleep (bed)

Passageway - hallway

Galley - Place to eat / kitchen

Bulkhead - Wall within vessel

Page 1 of 3Last updated January 25, 2013