U.s. Navy Ship Terminology

Front 1

deck

Back 1

The "floor" of a ship. Under surface of each deck forms the overhead (not the ceiling) of the compartment below.

Front 2

weather deck

Back 2

A deck or part of a deck exposed to the weather.

Front 3

bulwarks

Back 3

A solid fence along the gunwale of the main (weather) deck.

Front 4

scuppers

Back 4

Freeing ports which permit water to run off during heavy weather.

Front 5

complete deck

Back 5

A deck that extends from side to side and stem to stem

Front 6

flight deck

Back 6

The uppermost complete deck on an aircraft carrier.

Front 7

main deck

Back 7

The uppermost complete deck on all ships except aircraft carriers. On an aircraft carrier the hangar deck is the main deck.

Front 8

second deck

Back 8

first complete deck below the main deck

Front 9

companionways (ladders)

Back 9

stairs that lead from one deck to another.

Front 10

flats

Back 10

Plating or gratings installed only to provide working or walking surfaces above bilges.

Front 11

forecastle

Back 11

Deck above the main deck at the bow. Ships that do not have raised forecastles are called flush-deckers.

Front 12

gallery deck

Back 12

First half or partial deck below the flight deck on an aircraft carrier.

Front 13

levels

Back 13

This is a general term used to designate deck heights above the main deck. The first level above the main deck is the 01 (pronounced oh-one) level; the second (02) level, and so on.

Front 14

poop deck

Back 14

A partial deck above the main deck located all the way aft. A flush-decker does not have a poop deck, so the stern area of the main deck is called the main deck aft or the fantail.

Front 15

quarterdeck

Back 15

The quarterdeck is not an actual deck, but an area designated by the commanding officer for the conduct of official functions, and serves as the station of the officer of the deck. Its location in port depends on how the ship is moored.

Front 16

compartments

Back 16

They are the "rooms" of a ship.