Nautical Term: Spudwell
Definition of Spudwell
A Spudwell is a specialized casing that is affixed to or traverses the hull of a watercraft. Its primary function is to facilitate the lifting and lowering of a spud – a large, heavy anchoring device – through the hull of the vessel. In this manner, a Spudwell provides essential stability and grounding for a watercraft when it is moored in shallow water or when it is beached.
For instance, During a tropical storm, a cruise ship was forced to seek refuge in a shallow bay. As the crew secured the vessel, they lowered the Spudwells and raised the massive spuds to ensure the ship remained stable and grounded in the shallow water.
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