Nautical Term: Shaft tunnel
Definition of Shaft tunnel
A shaft tunnel is an enclosed passageway that surrounds and protects a propeller shaft as it extends from the engine room to the ship’s hull. It functions as a protective barrier, preventing water, debris, and marine growth from directly contacting the shaft and potentially damaging it.
For example, during a routine ship maintenance inspection, the crew discovered a crack in the shaft tunnel of one of the ship’s propeller shafts. The crew immediately took steps to prevent any further damage to the shaft or the ship. They secured the damaged section of the shaft tunnel, and then arranged for it to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. In the meantime, the crew continued to closely monitor the ship’s propeller shafts and the condition of their respective shaft tunnels to ensure that any potential issues were promptly identified and addressed.
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