Nautical Term: Hatch
Definition of Hatch
A hatch is an opening in a ship’s deck, designed for the purpose of granting access for various items and individuals. Cargo, personnel, stores, and other necessary supplies can be efficiently loaded and unloaded through hatches.
For example, during the unloading process of a container ship, the crew would use cranes to carefully lift the heavy shipping containers and lower them into the cargo hold below the main deck. Access to the cargo hold would be through hatches, which would be opened by the crew once the containers have been safely placed inside the cargo hold.
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