Nautical Term: Ullage hatch

Definition of Ullage hatch

An ullage hatch is a compact, hinged access point on a cargo tank. This opening facilitates gauging or sampling of the cargo. The term ‘ullage’ represents the distance between the top of the ullage hatch and the top of the cargo. Essentially, it signifies the opposite of ‘innage,’ which refers to the space between the top of the cargo and the bottom of the tank.

For instance, consider a cargo ship carrying crude oil. During the voyage, the captain orders the crew to check the level of oil in one of the tanks using the ullage hatch. By opening the hatch and observing the distance between the top of the hatch and the top of the oil, the crew can determine the amount of oil in the tank.

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