Why does water pour out of the ship every now and then

  • Oct 08, 2021
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Why is water running from the ship's side. l Photo - mfame.guru
Why is water running from the ship's side. l Photo - mfame.guru
Why is water running from the ship's side. l Photo - mfame.guru

Surely each of you at least once in your life noticed how water flows from some holes in the side of the ship. At the same time, the ship remains afloat and is not going to sink. Those who are directly related to shipbuilding or navigation know the answer to questions of interest to ordinary people. So let's figure out together with you what kind of water flows out of the ship's hull, and why holes are made in it.

What are scuppers, and why are they needed

Spigar on the ship l Photo - balt-lloyd.ru
Spigar on the ship l Photo - balt-lloyd.ru
Spigar on the ship l Photo - balt-lloyd.ru

As you know, the rapid development of the Russian fleet began during the reign of Peter the Great. It was in that historical period that the term "scupper" appeared in the vocabulary of sailors. It was borrowed from the Dutch language (spiegat). The term combines two words: spuiten - "pour" and gat - "hole". So the name "scupper" appeared at the drain in the ship's hull.

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On modern and not so modern ships, water flows overboard through round holes. This is partly due to the fact that a drain pipe can be connected to the scupper. In order not to clog the drain hole, it is protected with permanent or replaceable nets, as well as devices similar to them.

Excess water flows out of the scuppers l Photo - chelsea.co.uk
Excess water flows out of the scuppers l Photo - chelsea.co.uk

So why do they make scuppers on ships? As you already understood - to drain the water. Therefore, holes can be found in those places where liquid accumulates - at the lowest points of the decks. Where does it come from on board the ship? The answer is simple. Excess water on the ship appears during a storm, when waves roll over the ship's side, as well as during precipitation, cleaning or when extinguishing a fire.

By the way, scuppers are located not only on the visible part of the ship's hull. This term is sometimes also called the holes through which the liquid is drained from the ballast tanks. With the help of different water levels in them, the stability of the vessel (not to be confused with stability) or rollability is regulated. This is the name for the ability of ships to stay afloat. Especially during a storm and also when loading or unloading at the port dock.

What is a hawse, and what is a marine engine

Discharge of water from ballast tanks. l Photo - laip.vn
Discharge of water from ballast tanks. l Photo - laip.vn

In order for the ship to drift - to stay in one place, there is an anchor (this is a well-known fact). Its descent and ascent is carried out through a special hole called the "hawse". So that's it. Water flows from it too. But not always. And only when the anchor chain rises. The water flowing out of the hawse washes it, cleaning it from particles of silt, sand and other debris that is found in the water area where the ship was drifting.

There is one more reason that explains a kind of waterfall of varying intensity, which bursts out of the holes in the ship's hull. It's all about the engine. Like any mechanism, a ship needs power with which it could navigate the water (we do not take sailing ships into account now). The structure of a ship's motor is complex. Especially for those who are far from shipbuilding and navigation. Therefore, speaking in the language of a common man in the street, the engine needs water to cool it. But not sea. From her, the motor will quickly deteriorate.

Water flowing out of the hawse cleans the anchor chain from dirt l Photo - shipsupply.ru
Water flowing out of the hawse cleans the anchor chain from dirt l Photo - shipsupply.ru

The engine is cooled with a specially prepared liquid. So that it does not heat up and seawater is taken. She takes part in the cooling of the motor. But not directly, but through the secondary circuit. In part, the streams flowing down the ship's hull are water that was taken from the water area to cool the ship's engine.

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It is worth noting that bilge water is not discharged overboard. This is the name of the liquid accumulating in the holds. It is often contaminated with fuels and lubricants. Such water is either driven through special separators on board the ship, or pumped out into special tanks in the port dock.

Water is also used to cool the ship's engine. l Photo - oceanlaw.ru
Water is also used to cool the ship's engine. l Photo - oceanlaw.ru

I would like to note that the material is designed for ordinary people who are far from the intricacies of shipbuilding and navigation. It is possible that some nuances were missed, explaining why water periodically flows from the holes of the ship's side. What do you think about this?

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