Nautical Term: Manhole

Definition of Manhole

A manhole, refers to a framed opening located in the deck of a vessel. This access point serves the primary function of allowing individuals, typically crew members or passengers, to gain access to the lower parts of the vessel for various reasons, such as maintenance, repairs, or inspections.

For example: During a routine inspection of the cargo hold on a cargo ship, the chief engineer discovered a small leak in one of the critical pipes. The engineer quickly reported the issue to the captain. In response, the captain ordered the crew to prepare the ship for an unscheduled port call. During the ship’s stop at the port, the crew was able to repair the leaking pipe, preventing any further damage to the cargo ship.

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