Meet Jens Maersk
This graphical ensemble is shot exactly amidships of the Jens Maersk, operated by the Danish Maersk shipping company. It’s a container ship which can hold some 2900 units.
It was moored in Katendrecht in the Maashaven (Maas docks) after a paint job, the removal of her crane and the fitting of new lashings at a Rotterdam ship yard.
On top we see a part of the giant letter “L” from Maersk Lines (the trading name of the combined Maersk Sealand and P&O Nedlloyd businesses).
From left to right we see the D - L sign first. This sign (the “D” is for draught “L”is for line) indicates the position of the waterline while the ship is fully loaded. After that is the density sign, to correct the D – L level for the different types of water. Fresh water (the “F” on the scale) exerts less upwards pressure, so in fresh water the ship rides deeper in the water. In the winter due to the lower temperatures this effect is reversed (the “V” on the scale).
After that is the moulded depth scale, showing the vertical distance from the top of the keel to the top of the upper deck beam at side. When we combine the D-L line with the moulded depth scale, we see that while fully loaded, 12,2 m of Jens Maersk is below the waterline. The ship was empty, so now only 6,8 m was submerged.
These signs give a reliable and easy indication if a ship is overloaded, for reference of the crew and the harbour authorities.
These signs were decodable easy enough …..but what about the results of the Dutch general elections?
Click here for a large version with a black background.
Meet Jens Maersk
This graphical ensemble is shot exactly amidships of the Jens Maersk, operated by the Danish Maersk shipping company. It’s a container ship which can hold some 2900 units.
It was moored in Katendrecht in the Maashaven (Maas docks) after a paint job, the removal of her crane and the fitting of new lashings at a Rotterdam ship yard.
On top we see a part of the giant letter “L” from Maersk Lines (the trading name of the combined Maersk Sealand and P&O Nedlloyd businesses).
From left to right we see the D - L sign first. This sign (the “D” is for draught “L”is for line) indicates the position of the waterline while the ship is fully loaded. After that is the density sign, to correct the D – L level for the different types of water. Fresh water (the “F” on the scale) exerts less upwards pressure, so in fresh water the ship rides deeper in the water. In the winter due to the lower temperatures this effect is reversed (the “V” on the scale).
After that is the moulded depth scale, showing the vertical distance from the top of the keel to the top of the upper deck beam at side. When we combine the D-L line with the moulded depth scale, we see that while fully loaded, 12,2 m of Jens Maersk is below the waterline. The ship was empty, so now only 6,8 m was submerged.
These signs give a reliable and easy indication if a ship is overloaded, for reference of the crew and the harbour authorities.
These signs were decodable easy enough …..but what about the results of the Dutch general elections?
Click here for a large version with a black background.