Marine term???

[MFR401]

In my area the tugs call VTS and give the length and draft of the barge they will be towing.

my question is, i understand the length of the barge but what the the draft mean?????

thanks

[BigWingBoy]

Hi MFR401,

Draft refers to the maximum keel depth. Here at the Cape Cod Canal, the Army Corps of Engineers will ask for the 'deep draft' of a tug and barge combination...if the barge is light, the deep draft may be the tug. If the barge is loaded, the barge may have the deep draft. Controllers want to know that for clearance information.

73 and Good Hunting!

Gene N1EH
'The BigWingBoy'
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

[MFR401]

keel meaning the bottom part of the barge when it has alot of what it is carrying????

[FuelForFire]

Originally Posted by MFR401

keel meaning the bottom part of the barge when it has alot of what it is carrying????

The draft is the depth of the keel below the waterline of the vessel. This can change depending on how much cargo the vessel is carrying.

They would need to know this to make sure the vessel can safely navigate the channel without striking the bottom.

[Stavro35]

Thank you to the OP for the post and the explanation, much appreciated!