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 LESSON 1  The Fleet
 
INTRODUCTION
 
 
 
 
 

 

Equipment

Ships carry many different types of equipment and instruments to drive the ship, to deal with cargo and to assist navigation.

You will find the following on the different FTF ships:

Satellite dish
The ship uses satellite with its GMDSS and GPS. Ships use satellites to find out their exact position.

Arial
An aerial is an electrical device that sends or receives radio or television signals. It is also called an antenna. Aerials are required so the ship can communicate by radio. The term radio is based on the word radiation. Radio waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation. The term wireless was originally used and often still is.

Engines
Diesel engines are internal combustion engines that use diesel oil as the fuel.

Generator
A generator is a motor that produces electricity by moving coils of wire through a magnetic field.

Echo sounder
An echo sounder is an instrument that that uses sound echoes to measure the depth of objects in water. It is often used to find fish or to locate the sea bed.

GPS
Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites. The system can be used in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.

Compass
A compass is an instrument that helps to find north and south . However there are two types. A gyrocompass finds true north; a magnetic compasses show the direction of the magnetic north.

Radar
Radar stands for radio detection and ranging. Radar uses radio waves to detect objects and to measure their distance.

Crane
This is a crane which is used for lifting cargo on and off the ship.
The anchor is to attach the ship to the ground and prevent it moving.

Crows nest
The crows nest is a structure in the upper part of a ship which is used as a lookout point.

Gangway
This is a platform which is placed between the ship and the pier when the ship is in port.

 
 
   
 
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© Irish Maritime Development Office, 2007