draught-marks

A ship's officer checks the draught-marks on the vessel's hull.

Definition

1. Noun (plural):
   • Waterline indicators: "draught-marks" are marks or lines on the hull of a ship or boat that indicate the depth of the water level, showing how much of the vessel is submerged (the draught). These marks are used to measure the ship's load and stability.

Usage Examples

• (He looked at the waterline indicators on the hull to verify the vessel's submersion depth.)
• (The marks showed that the ship was sitting deeper in the water due to the added weight.)

Advanced Usage

• "to read the draught-marks": to interpret the waterline indicators for navigational or loading purposes.
  • The harbour master read the draught-marks to confirm the ship's displacement. (He examined the marks to calculate the vessel's weight and buoyancy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Draught (n): the depth of water a ship requires to float freely, or the depth of the submerged part of the hull.

  • The ship has a deep draught, so it cannot enter shallow harbours. (Its submerged depth is significant.)

• Mark (n): a visible line, spot, or indication.

  • The carpenter made a mark on the wood to guide the cut. (A visible line for reference.)

Synonyms

• Plimsoll line: a specific type of draught-mark mandated by law for load safety.

  • The Plimsoll line is a particular draught-mark that prevents overloading. (A legal waterline indicator.)

• Waterline: the line where the water's surface meets the hull.

  • The waterline rose as the ship took on cargo. (The boundary between above and below water.)

Related Idioms

• "to be at the draught-marks": to be at the maximum safe loading level.
  • The ship was exactly at the draught-marks, fully loaded but safe. (It reached the indicator lines for optimal capacity.)