Seacock
Encyclopedia
A seacock is a valve
on the hull
of a boat
, permitting water to flow into the boat, such as for cooling an engine
or for a salt water
faucet; or out of the boat, such as for a sink drain or a toilet.
Many seacocks are left open most of the time, although this varies depending on the application. Seacocks feeding into or out of a closed system, like the engine cooling system, are almost always left open. Seacocks connected to something open, such as a sink drain, might be opened up in port
but closed when at sea. The reason for this is that when the boat is level, the drain or other opening will always be above the waterline
, and so water will only flow out. At sea, when the boat leans over and rolls in the waves, the opening may sometimes be below the waterline. If the seacock is open when at sea this may cause water to flood into the boat.
Valve
A valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but are usually discussed as a separate category...
on the hull
Hull (watercraft)
A hull is the watertight body of a ship or boat. Above the hull is the superstructure and/or deckhouse, where present. The line where the hull meets the water surface is called the waterline.The structure of the hull varies depending on the vessel type...
of a boat
Boat
A boat is a watercraft of any size designed to float or plane, to provide passage across water. Usually this water will be inland or in protected coastal areas. However, boats such as the whaleboat were designed to be operated from a ship in an offshore environment. In naval terms, a boat is a...
, permitting water to flow into the boat, such as for cooling an engine
Engine cooling
Internal combustion engine cooling refers to the cooling of an internal combustion engine, typically using either air or a liquid.- Overview :...
or for a salt water
Seawater
Seawater is water from a sea or ocean. On average, seawater in the world's oceans has a salinity of about 3.5% . This means that every kilogram of seawater has approximately of dissolved salts . The average density of seawater at the ocean surface is 1.025 g/ml...
faucet; or out of the boat, such as for a sink drain or a toilet.
Many seacocks are left open most of the time, although this varies depending on the application. Seacocks feeding into or out of a closed system, like the engine cooling system, are almost always left open. Seacocks connected to something open, such as a sink drain, might be opened up in port
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
but closed when at sea. The reason for this is that when the boat is level, the drain or other opening will always be above the waterline
Waterline
The term "waterline" generally refers to the line where the hull of a ship meets the water surface. It is also the name of a special marking, also known as the national Load Line or Plimsoll Line, to be positioned amidships, that indicates the draft of the ship and the legal limit to which a ship...
, and so water will only flow out. At sea, when the boat leans over and rolls in the waves, the opening may sometimes be below the waterline. If the seacock is open when at sea this may cause water to flood into the boat.
External links
- Seacock definition in InterSailing Glossary