Unit 3

SHIP DESCRIPTION

Objectives of Unit 3
3.1
3.2
3.3

The main parts of a ship

Phrases for giving opinions, agreeing and disagreeing
Applied terminology: Terms related to the hull
Self-assessment test
Progress test
Answers to self-assessment test
Bibliography / Webography

The main objectives are:

3.1

names cargo-handling equipment

identifies the main parts of a ship
gives short descriptions of ships sides and superstructure
finds the proper phrases for giving opinions

The main parts of a ship

The main structure of a ship is the hull. Within the hull are the tween decks or platforms on
which the cargo rests. The uppermost platform or the upper deck, covers the holds in which
cargo is stowed. It is loaded and discharged either by cranes on the quay or by the ships
derricks. Derricks are operated by winches. The derricks are fitted to masts which stand on
the upper deck. The cargo passes into or out of the holds through cargo hatches.
At sea, the ship is controlled from the bridge by the captain and the navigating
officers. The front part of a ship is called the bow and the rear part the stern. Near the bridge
is the funnel. Smoke and gases pass through the funnel from the engine. The engine is fitted
near the bottom of the ship in the engine room. The engine drives the propeller at the stern of
the ship. The anchors and cables and the windlass are located in the bow of the ship.
The right side of a ship facing the bow is called the starboard side and the other side is
the port side. The beam is the greatest width of the ship. The draught is the depth of the ships
bottom or keel below the water surface.
The captain and officers are accommodated in cabins. These are located in the middle
part of the ship near the bridge. The other members of the crew live in cabins. They are
usually in the rear part of the ship.
Exercises
A. Are the following statements true or false?
1. The upper deck covers the holds in which cargo is stowed.
2. Cargo is loaded and discharged by the ships derricks.
3. Cargo passes through cargo holds.
4. The smoke from the engine passes through the funnel.
5. The right side of a ship facing the bow is called port and the other side is
starboard.
6. The greatest width of the ship is the draught.
7. The captains cabin is in the middle part of the ship.
8. At the bow of the ship are the anchors and cables.
B. Rearrange the following groups of words to form meaningful sentences
1. a, of, ship, is, the, structure, the, main, hull.

2. ship, officers, control, from, bridge, the, navigating, the captain, the, and.
3. the, drives, the, ship, propeller, the, engine, of.
C. Give brief answers to the following questions:
1. What is a hull?
2. Where is the cargo stowed?
3. How is the cargo loaded and discharged?
4. What is the front part of a ship called?
5. What is the rear part of a ship called?
6. What drives the propeller?
7. Where are the anchors and cables located?
8. What is the greatest width of a ship?
9. Where are the captain and the officers accommodated?

D. Try to solve the following crossword puzzle.

1

14
2
3

15

16

17

10
11

18

19
20

12
13

ACROSS
1. A ship for carrying liquid (6)
2. Opposite to south (5)
3. Members of a ship. (4)
4. Sick (3)
5. An opening in a ship for cargo (5)
6. A ship with doors in her bow and
stern (4)
7. Left hand side (4)
8. Stern (opposite) (3)
9. Lighter-aboard-ship (4)
10. Ultra large crude carrier (4)
11. Rear of a ship (5)
12. Opposite to West (4)
13. Wireless (5)

DOWN
14. The body of a ship (4)
15. Turned by the ships engine (9)
16. A place of shelter for ships (7)
17. Also (3)
18. Negative (2)
19. Without large waves (4)
20. Used by fishermen (3)

3.2

Phrases for giving opinions, agreeing and disagreeing

Simple agreement

I agree.
I really agree with you.
I think you are right.
I couldnt agree with you more.
You said it.
Cant say I dont agree.
Im with you on this.
I partly agree
I agree on this but not that.
Its partly true.

Simple disagreement or refusal

I disagree with you.

Everyone has their own opinion, right?
I think youre wrong on this.
Im sorry but I have to refuse your request.
Youre wrong.
No way!
Youve got to be kidding!
How can you even say that?
Where is your logic?

Strong disagreement

I completely disagree with you.

You are very wrong to say that.
I totally disagree with you.
I cant find myself to agree with you.
Youre dead wrong.
Youre way wrong.

Accepting/Declining/Expressing acceptance

I accept your point.

Please accept this on our behalf.
Sorry, I cant accept this.
Im 100% with you on this!
Great idea.
Ill take it.
Sorry, I cant take it.
Accept my apology.

3.3

Applied terminology - Terms relating to the hull

(A)Terms relating to a ship's hull

The main body of a ship is called the hull.

The hull is divided into three parts:

(Note: When standing in a ship and facing the bow, the left-hand side is called the port
side and the right-hand side is called the starboard side. These can be added to the above
terms.
e.g. the port bow, the starboard quarter, the port side amidships.)
The side of the hull can be referred to more accurately by using the side, the part and
the waterline.
e.g. the ship was hit on the port bow one metre below the waterline.
Exercise 2. Using the table to help you, use your imagination to complete the sentences below. The
first has been done for you.

a. The hull was damaged on the port bow three feet above the waterline.
b. The ship was holed
c. The stabilizers were fitted
d. The sailors painted the hull
e. There was thick armour plating

Self-assessment Test
Answer the questions:
1. What is the front part of a ship called?
2. What is a hull?
3. What drives the propeller?
4. What is the greatest width of a ship?

Progress test
Ask questions to which the underlined words are the answers.
Example: The funnel is near the bridge.
Where is the funnel?
1. The engine is fitted near the bottom of the ship.
2. The anchors and cables are located in the bow of the ship.
3. The officers are accommodated in cabins in the middle part of
the ship.
4. At sea, the ship is controlled from the bridge.
5. Cargo is stowed in holds.

Answers to self-assessment test

The front part of a ship is called the bow.
The main structure of a ship is the hull.
The engine drives the propeller at the stern of the ship.
The beam is the greatest width of the ship.

Bibliography / Webography
1. Georgescu, M. , Maritime English, Students Coursebook, 1st year, 1st term

(on www.cmu-edu.eu)
2. Georgescu, M., Outboard Communication, (2010), Nautica Press,
Constana, ISBN 978-606-8105-13-0

3. Marcu, E. Dictionary of Maritime Electromechanical Terminology English Romanian, (2009), Editura Nautica, Constana
4. Chirea-Ungureanu, C. English Grammar in Use-Exercises and Quizzes,
(2010), Editura Nautica, ISBN 978-606-8105-14-7
5. Chirea-Ungureanu, C. Developing English Communication and
Understandimg Skills on Board Ship, (2013), Editura Crizon, Constanta,
ISBN 978-606-8476-09-4
6. Blakey, T.N. English For Maritime Studies. 2nd ed. Hemel Hempstead,
Prentice Hall International (UK) Ltd, 1987 (ISBN 0 13 281379 3)
7. Logie, Vivers, Nisbet Marlins Study Pack 2 (book and two audio
cassettes). Edinburgh, Marlins, 1998 (ISBN 09531748 1 6)
8. Murphy, R. Essential Grammar In Use. 1st ed. Cambridge, Cambridge
University Press, 1990 (ISBN 0 521 35770 5)
9.http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpre-prepro/exercises
(visited 12.04.2011)