Nautical Term: Chafing plate
Definition of Chafing plate
≡≡≡ CHAFING PLATE: A DEEP DIVE ≡≡≡
A chafing plate is a flat, metal plate, often bent or curved, designed to prevent chafing of ropes and cables. The term chafing refers to the wearing down or damage to a rope or cable due to continuous rubbing against a rough surface.
Chafing plates are commonly used at hatches, where the ropes and cables used to secure and hoist the sails are frequently in contact with the rough edges of the hatch opening.
To prevent chafing and subsequent damage to the ropes and cables, a chafing plate is placed between the rope or cable and the rough surface. The curved or bent shape of the chafing plate ensures that it covers the entire area of contact between the rope or cable and the rough surface, thereby effectively preventing chafing and damage to the ropes and cables.
Here’s a brief example of how a chafing plate might be used in practice:
Suppose a sailing vessel is making its way across the open sea. The crew has set the sails and secured the ropes and
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