Nautical Term: Loftsman

Definition of Loftsman

A Loftsman is a specialized maritime worker who is responsible for creating the ship’s molds or templates in the mold loft. To accomplish this task, the Loftsman lays out the ship’s lines on a large table in the mold loft. Using these lines as a guide, the Loftsman then creates the molds or templates by cutting, shaping, and fitting various materials such as wood, metal, or composite materials.

For example, let’s imagine that a shipping company has commissioned the building of a new cargo ship. The shipyard has brought in a team of Loftsmen to create the molds or templates for the new cargo ship.

Using large tables and various materials in the mold loft, the Loftsmen carefully lay out the ship’s lines and create the molds or templates for the new cargo ship. These molds or templates will then be used by the shipbuilders to construct the new cargo ship.

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