Cruise Talk: Steel cable embedded to the hull of the ship?

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Cruise Talk » Technically Speaking » Steel cable embedded to the hull of the ship?

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Topic: Steel cable embedded to the hull of the ship?

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 11-09-2007 09:56 AM

Sorry for the subject line, but I'm not sure how else to describe it. I've also tried to find examples on the internet but I gave up.

On several cruise ships (CROWN PRINCESS being the most recent), I've noticed a large steel cable that is embedded to the side of the ship (on the hull below any balconies). It might start at a hull opening such as the gangway door, then move down the side of the ship and spilt into two cables eventually just ending a deck or two lower. It's a large steel cable, and it fits into a narrow slot that is raised from the rest of the hull. It's painted the same color as the hull so it's easy to miss. If you look at any ship picture from the distance you will never see it, but when getting on and off the ship you can see it up close when you are right next to the hull. Not every cruise ship has it, but I notice some do. I asked a crew member attending the gangway on CROWN PRINCESS about it, but he just shrugged his shoulders.

Does anyone have a clue what I'm talking about or what it is? I'll continue to try and find a picture as an example. The problem is the cable only covers a small part of the hull and you need a fairly close up picture to see it.

Thanks!

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

6263866
First Class Passenger
Member # 5115

posted 11-09-2007 10:37 AM

I think I know what your talking about, I think it is a steel tube, a track for the window washing trolley.[IMG]

[/IMG]

Its a bit small, but it can be seen at the end of the promanade.

Posts: 580 | From: San Francisco | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 11-09-2007 11:59 AM

A photo would of course help to clarify what you mean.

It could be related to rafts/slides: cables (or piping) for release mechanisms or even to guide the raft sliding down the hull - see here.

[ 11-09-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 11-09-2007 01:48 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Ernst:
A photo would of course help to clarify what you mean.
It could be related to rafts/slides: cables (or piping) for release mechanisms or even to guide the raft sliding down the hull - see here.
[ 11-09-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Thanks. I think this may have solved the mystery but I'm still looking for a photo example.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 11-12-2007 03:57 AM

Ernie,

Do you mean the horizontal line sticking out on the hull? It travels from the promenade deck to about three decks down. The line I am talking about is just aft of the lifeboats.

link to picture

[ 11-12-2007: Message edited by: Waynaro ]

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 11-12-2007 12:00 PM

I thought it was a verticle cable?

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 11-12-2007 12:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
I thought it was a verticle cable?

Oops, you are right. I meant to write verticle not horizontal.

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 11-12-2007 12:07 PM

The 'cables' associated with rafts and slides can be horizontal and vertical. Mind you that some rafts can be embarked form a door in the hull (via e.g. a slide) - there are such 'cables' from e.g. the door in the hull to the raft stored some decks above to release the raft.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Frank X. Prudent
First Class Passenger
Member # 1723

posted 12-05-2007 01:19 AM

Ernie, I believe that you are talking about the "painter line." Now, even the QE2 sports a "painter."

Posts: 577 | From: Covington, Kentucky, U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

timb
First Class Passenger
Member # 5901

posted 12-12-2007 12:01 PM

As Ernst suggested they seem to be associated with launching and tethering life rafts. I snapped a few shots on my recent cruise for this thread

Posts: 437 | From: S FL | Registered: Sep 2005 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 12-12-2007 05:00 PM

Thanks for the photos timb, this is exactly what I was talking about.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Frank X. Prudent
First Class Passenger
Member # 1723

posted 12-16-2007 01:59 PM

Oh my, that certainly wasn't what I thought you meant. That's not at all a painter line which runs horizontally.from the bow back towards the superstructure.

Posts: 577 | From: Covington, Kentucky, U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

Brian_O
First Class Passenger
Member # 3910

posted 12-17-2007 12:10 AM

Geez. Is that what it is? I thought it was where they plugged in the extension cord to a land-based power station so that the lights etc, would still work when the ship was at sea. Shows how much I know.

Brian

[ 12-17-2007: Message edited by: Brian_O ]

Posts: 2698 | From: Pointe-Claire, QC Canada | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

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