Nautical Term: Punt
Definition of Punt
A punt is a type of flat-bottomed, rectangular boat, commonly used by ships for various purposes. One of its primary functions is to facilitate the painting of a ship’s side and waterline. The punt is usually fitted with oar-locks on each side and propelled by sculling.
For example, during a dry docking procedure, a ship’s side might require repainting to maintain its appearance and protect it from the elements. In such cases, a punt would be maneuvered alongside the ship, and its crew would use the punt to reach the ship’s side and apply the new coat of paint. This process would continue until the entire ship’s side had been repainted, ensuring that the ship looked its best as it set sail once again.
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