thumb|right|The afterdeck on this ship the deck from point 1 to 2.<br> Main parts of ship. 1:&nbsp; [[Funnel (ship)|Funnel; 2:&nbsp;Stern; 3:&nbsp;Propeller and Rudder; 4:&nbsp;Portside (the right side is known as starboard); 5:&nbsp;Anchor; 6:&nbsp;Bulbous bow; 7:&nbsp;Bow; 8:&nbsp;Deck; 9:&nbsp;Superstructure ]]

In naval architecture, an afterdeck or after deck, or sometimes the aftdeck, aft deck or a-deck is the open deck area toward the stern or aft back part of a ship or boat. The afterdeck can be used for a number of different purposes, yet not all ships have an afterdeck. In place of the afterdeck, a ship may be built with a poop deck, that is a deck that forms the roof of a cabin built in the rear, or "aft", part of the superstructure of a ship; a poop deck is usually higher up than an afterdeck. A ship may have its superstructure or aftercastle located in the stern and thus not have an afterdeck. The stern and afterdeck of a ship are usually more smooth and stable than the bow (front) of the ship in motion.

A taffrail is the handrail around the open afterdeck or poop deck. On wooden sailing ships like man-of-war or East Indiaman the taffrail is usually a hand carved wood rail and often highly decorated.

Afterdeck uses

  • Navy war ships may use the afterdeck to mount deck guns.
  • Missile boats may have missiles launching on the afterdeck.
  • Minelaying gear on Navy ship's afterdeck.
  • Minesweeper gear on Navy ship's afterdeck.
  • Depth charge launching on Navy ship's afterdeck.
  • Torpedo tube for torpedo launching on Navy ship's afterdeck.
  • Some Navy and private ships use the afterdeck as a helicopter deck for a heliport for helicopters.
  • A sundeck for chairs, chaise longue and lounge chairs.
  • Rear deck swimming pool with a sundeck.
  • On fishing boats a place to lay fishing nets or big-game fishing chairs or trawler gear.
  • Cable laying gear.
  • Scuba diving deck.
  • Amphibious vehicle launching
  • Submersible launching
  • Water skiing launching
  • Samson post, a strong pillar-post for a towing cable or other support.
  • Lifting crane or gantry crane.
  • Ferry ramp for vehicles.
  • Ancient Greece ships sometimes had shrines or altars on the afterdeck.

<gallery>

File:HMNZS Canterbury Pacific Partnership.jpg| with a large aftdeck for helicopters.

File:Canterbury's Helicopter Afterdeck.jpg| 's helicopter afterdeck.

File:Photograph of President Truman and members of his staff relaxing on the after deck of his yacht, the U.S.S.... - NARA - 199029.jpg|President Truman and members of his staff relaxing on the afterdeck of the yacht .

File:US Navy 100329-N-1481K-293 USS Independence (LCS 2) arrives at Mole Pier at Naval Air Station Key West.jpg|After deck of .

File:HO3S landing on after deck of USS Manchester (CL-83).jpg|HO3S landing on after deck of .

File:After deck Abeille Bourbon.jpg|After deck of Abeille Bourbon.

File:USS LCS(L) 102.jpg|Sailors on the afterdeck of .

File:Aft pool golden princess.jpg|Aftdeck pool on Golden Princess.

File:RTOP-21 krma.jpg|Missile launchers on the after deck of Šibenik

File:Lifeboat.stern.17-31.arp.jpg|After deck of a UK Rescue Lifeboat 17-31.

</gallery>

See also

  • Common names for decks
  • Main deck

References