Strips of wood fitted inside the frames to keep cargo away from hull steelwork. Also called sparring

Engine room or space fitted with sensors and controls for monitoring and responding to machinery operating conditions. This makes it unnecessary for personnel to be present in the space at all times

Shell plates at the bilge area

See "flag of convenience" or "flag of necessity"

A ship whose cargo holds are shaped so that the cargo levels by itself.

A large casting extending outboard from the main hull for supporting for the ends of the propeller shafts in a multi-screw ship

Large casting attached to th after end of the keel, incorporating the rudder gudgeons and propeller post in single-screw ships

Non-bulk cargo. The cargo may be of various kinds

(See Stringer bar)

NATIONAL FLAGThe flag flown by a ship to show her nationality.