Ship terms glossary
Search all 63 registered exterior, structure, piping, machinery, and electrical terms and open each exact 3D selection.
Search the glossaryFree interactive study resource
Ship Structure Learning Guide
Learn how a large double-hull tanker is shaped, subdivided, propelled, and served by its principal systems. Each lesson opens the matching object in the HullStudy 3D model so terminology and physical location stay connected.
Suggested sequence
Five connected learning paths
Begin with the visible hull, then move inward from structure to systems.
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01
Exterior hull form
Identify shell plating, stem, bulbous bow, bilge, flat plate keel, stern shell, propeller, and rudder. Rotate below the waterline to understand how the bottom and bilge flow into the bow and afterbody.
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02
Double hull tanker cross section and structure
Follow the outer shell, inner hull, inner bottom, longitudinal bulkheads, transverse bulkheads, web frames, floors, girders, and stiffeners around cargo and ballast spaces.
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03
Cargo, ballast, inert-gas, and fire-main piping
Trace functional training routes from tanks to pumps and deck connections. Compare cargo-oil, segregated-ballast, stripping, vent, inert-gas, and fire-main services without treating them as one system.
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04
Machinery and propulsion
Study the relationship between the main engine, thrust bearing, intermediate shaft, line-shaft bearing, stern tube, propeller, pumps, generators, access platforms, and maintenance envelopes.
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05
Marine electrical distribution system
Connect auxiliary generators to the main switchboard, feeders, cable trays, junction boxes, and local consumers. Use the 3D arrangement alongside the training single-line relationship.
For educators
A classroom-ready 35-minute activity
Use location, function, and evidence as a repeatable three-part method. The instructor guide includes learning objectives, timing, prompts, and a concise assessment rubric.
Reference tools
Find a term and verify its evidence
Use the glossary for fast lookup, then review the source register before treating a modeled relationship as ship-specific.
Sources and methodology
See which geometry is public source material, which visual context is licensed, and which systems are educational reconstruction.
Review the evidence registerHow to use the model
Location first, explanation second
Select a term
The complete registered component or space is highlighted, rather than an unrelated point marker.
Inspect every side
Orbit, zoom, pan, use section view, and move the observation centre with the arrow keys.
Read the evidence
Review the selection scope, source status, system tag, design record, and educational limitation.
Check recall
Use the built-in knowledge check to connect terminology, function, and physical location.
Scope and evidence
What the model represents
- Exterior geometry
- The hull, rudder, and propeller are derived from public SIMMAN 2020 KVLCC2 benchmark geometry. The displayed hull is rebuilt as one watertight web mesh for viewing.
- Internal arrangement
- The double-hull, cargo-space, ballast-space, structural-member, piping, machinery, and electrical arrangement is a rules-based educational model informed by IMO and IACS references.
- Intended use
- Introductory marine-engineering education, vocational orientation, undergraduate study, terminology review, and visual preparation before reading formal drawings.
- Not intended for
- Construction, repair decisions, class approval, fabrication, scantling verification, as-built routing, or replacement of vessel-specific drawings and manuals.
Primary references
Continue with authoritative material
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