Ships: Can You Name the Equipment From an Image?

By: Olivia Cantor
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Ships: Can You Name the Equipment From an Image?
Image: Kin Lush/Moment/Getty Images lopurice/E+/Getty Images Douglas Sacha/Moment/Getty Images Stuart Gray/Moment Open/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Can you be a good captain of a ship? Are you a marine vessel enthusiast? Whatever level of interest you might have with the sailing and shipping world, now is the time to test some of your knowledge. Do you think you can name all of this equipment commonly found inside, outside, around and about a ship? Then take this quiz and test your knowledge! 

Ships are a huge kind of sailing vessels. Perhaps the most popular of all is that one that suffered a tragic ending: Titanic. But that's just one out of the multitude of ships that have sailed the earth's oceans already. These days, ships come in varied forms and have diverse purposes as well.

Even though the ships of today have many types of functionalities, there are always universal equipment requirements and designs with which each vessel must comply. And we'll let you guess which of these pieces of equipment perform which kind of duty. If you like observing all sorts of boats, then this equipment will be familiar to you. Even better if you watch a lot of films and TV shows that have these kinds of ships, too. The best is, of course, if you've ridden one in your life, whether for leisure, work or military purposes. 

Try our quiz! All aboard!

Radar
Yaorusheng/Moment/Getty Images
Do you recognize this equipment?
Radar
Borealis
Generator
Motherboard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is the radar system of the ship. It’s much-needed equipment for collision avoidance, especially in the dark, or conditions such as fog or storms.

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GettyImages-85155776
Kin Lush/Moment/Getty Images
How about this piece of equipment?
Switchboard
Gauge board
Anchor
Feed pump
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The anchor is probably the most recognized maritime equipment of all time, necessary for securing the boat and holding it in position. Some brand products even use it as a logo.

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Propeller
lopurice/E+/Getty Images
What is this mechanism called?
Air ejector
Circulating pump
Blower
Propeller
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The propeller converts the engine's power into thrust for the vessel. Ships and some airplanes both have this equipment.

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Can You Guess the Country From a Poorly Drawn Flag?
Jonn Leffmann via Wiki Commons
And this?
Boiler
Nautical flags
Bell mouth
Deck flange
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nautical flags are used for sending visual signals to other ships or to people on land. There are 26 flags corresponding to letters and 10 flags for digits. Also, under the International Code of Signals (ICS), most single flags have their own meanings, such as "diver down," "danger" and "assistance required."

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Rudder
Douglas Sacha/Moment/Getty Images
Can you identify this vital nautical equipment?
Rudder
Stanchion
Stuttermouth
Frogger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rudder is the flat, vertical piece of equipment needed to make the ship turn, so it’s important to check if it functions well. By deflecting the flow of water around it, it causes a differential of pressure on one side or the other. As the stern (rear) of the boat is turned, so goes the boat.

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Do you know what this is?
Faba-Photograhpy/Moment/Getty Images
Do you know what this is?
Bow chock
Open rail davit
Crown
Lifeboat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A lifeboat is also considered necessary equipment. It’s needed in case the people onboard need to abandon ship and ride away from it. After the Titanic disaster in 1912, U.S. and U.K. maritime laws were put in place that mandated a ship have enough lifeboat space for each passenger.

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Navigational lights ship
W.carter via Wiki Commons
What is this called?
Navigation lights
Shackle
Stockless
Air pipe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All kinds of maritime vessels, even recreational boats, are required to have navigational lights as part of their equipment. A red light on the port side, a green light on the starboard and various white lights on the ship let other ships know your position in the water and avoid collisions.

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Magnetic compass
travenian/E+/Getty Images
Can you name this instrument?
Wire reel
Speedometer
Chain cable
Magnetic compass
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A ship must have a magnetic compass. With a properly calibrated compass and a maritime chart, an experienced sailor can plot a course even in bad visibility.

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Bollard
Brais Seara/Moment/Getty Images
Do you know the name of this structure?
Lower hold
Bollard
Hold
Monkey island
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A bollard is the short, sturdy post that looks like a pawn of a chessboard. This is where rope is tied whenever a ship needs to dock. On land, bollards are installed to prevent car-ramming attacks and are sometimes retractable.

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main mast
Mike Weber via Wiki Commons
What’s the name of this structure?
Kleine
Mainmast
Engine room
Loadline
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is the main mast of a ship — the tallest on the vessel and, on bigger ships, the second mast from the ship's bow (front). The frontmost mast is the foremast. Usually, the navigational lights system is attached to the mainmast.

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Flag staff
masahiro Makino/Moment/Getty Images
Can you recognize this nautical element?
Flag staff
Undergull
Foredeck
Afterdeck
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There is usually a small staff for a flag somewhere in a ship. National, themed or distress flags can be flown from here.

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Derrick boom
OliverChilds/E+/Getty Images
Could you say what this equipment is called?
Meteorology package
Swinging boom
Derrick boom
Draught
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This tower-like thing is called the derrick boom. It’s a mechanism for lifting things such as heavy cargo.

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Funnel
Pjotr Mahhonin via Wiki Commons
Can you recognize this one?
Funnel
Hull
Freeboard
Stern
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A ship’s funnel functions similarly to that of a car’s exhaust system, expelling boiler steam or engine exhaust well away from the vessel's decks. They are also known as stacks.

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Telephone
Zero Creatives/Cultura/Getty Images
How about this one?
Telephone
Bow
Neo-bulk
Container
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Inside the control rooms, a communication system to the outside world must be installed. Even though the technology is very mature, VHF radios are required before any other type of marine radio is installed; it is a critical part of the ship's safety gear.

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Crane
primeimages/E+/Getty Images
What about this one?
SDME
Crane
Heading
Break bulk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A crane, either connected to the dock or to the boat itself, is used for loading and unloading cargo. Those installed on the ship can also be used for offshore construction.

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Voyage plan
Zero Creatives/Cultura/Getty Images
And this one?
Indicator
EPA
Gyro repeater
Voyage plan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

More of a procedure than an obvious piece of equipment, a ship must have a voyage plan (or passage plan) nonetheless. This used to be done on paper, but there are computer programs and apps for this now.

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Daylight signaling lamp
Wiki Commons
Can you identify this device?
Radar reflector
Sound system
Daylight signaling lamp
Cable board
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A daylight signaling lamp is used for daytime visual communication, usually using Morse code. Particularly useful for making distress signals, the light is typically not dependent on the ship's main power in case of power failure.

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Ship whistle
Reptonix via Wiki Commons
Do you know this one?
Ship whistle
Oil shift
Torque
GNSS receiver
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The loudspeaker, usually shaped like a horn, on a ship is called a ship whistle. It has a similar function as the horn on a car, alerting other ships to your presence or to danger. Short and long blasts are also used to convey certain messages (one short blast says you are about to pass on your port side, two short blasts for starboard, for instance).

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Accommodation ladder
Wiki Commons
What’s this one?
Accommodation ladder
Bearings
Jack staff
Freeing port
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The accommodation ladder is this movable ladder attached to the side of the ship. It’s used by people who need to go on and off of the ship when docked.

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Bow thruster
Jpbazard via Wiki Commons
Can you name this one?
Lightning rod
Bower
Maneuvering thruster
Deck girder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The maneuvering thrusters — both on the bow and the stern — provide lateral (side-to-side) thrust and makes the vessel easier to handle, especially while docking.

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Hatch cover
© BrokenSphere via Wiki Commons
Can you identify this one?
King post
Bedsheet
Range light
Hatch cover
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A hatch is usually an entryway or opening from belowdecks to the top of the ship. The covers — there are different types depending on their use — are watertight to keep water out of the cargo hold in rough weather.

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Foremast
David Crespo/Moment/Getty Images
What’s the name of this one?
Cowl head
Foremast
Ventilator
Lifting gear
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The foremast is in front of the ship, and usually is the second-tallest mast on the ship, after the mainmast. Communication and lighting devices are often attached to it.

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Propeller shaft ship
Wiki Commons
Do you recognize what this is?
Propeller shaft
Direction finder
Sight alignment
Lifting gear
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The propeller shaft is the mechanism that transmits power from the engine to the propellers, making the ship move. It's very similar to the driveshaft of a car.

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Bulbous bow
Bernard Spragg via Wiki Commons
Do you know what this is?
Bulbous bow
Semi-automatic
Skylight
Fair-leader
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The bulbous bow is the bulb structure in front of the ship. Since it’s usually below the water surface, we don’t immediately see it but it serves an important purpose. Usually found on larger ships, the bulb changes the way water flows around the hull, reducing drag and improving engine performance and stability.

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Pelorus
Rémi Kaupp via Wiki Commons
Can you recognize this?
Rubber ducky
Bilge keel
Pelorus
Super charge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A pelorus is a navigational instrument in a ship, allowing the sailors to observe the vessel's relative bearing and predates the compass. It is also the name of a yacht worth north of $300,000,000.

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Forepeak tank
Ciacho5 via Wiki Commons
How about this?
Cylinder head
Basement deck
Forepeak tank
Fly wheel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The ship’s forepeak tank is where liquid kinds of cargo are carried at the front of the vessel. It can also be filled with ballast water if there’s no such cargo onboard.

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Nautical chart
Stuart Gray/Moment Open/Getty Images
What about this?
Nautical chart
Winch
Hatch
Ensign staff
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A nautical chart is a map of the sea in a particular region, along with the adjacent coastal areas. The chart may display sea depth, features of the coastline and other information necessary for safe navigation.

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GPS receiver
aristotoo/E+/Getty Images
And this?
GPS receiver
Galley
Saloon
WC
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A GPS receiver in a ship links it to the Global Positioning System, allowing it to calculate the vessel's position. It functions much like that of the ordinary car GPS, but the maritime version is usually more robust and equipped with aquatic maps with detailed topography.

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Mooring gear
Hervé Cozanet via Wiki Commons
Can you guess what this is?
SWAT
Pantry
Chart room
Mooring gear
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The mooring gear is the system with pullies, lines, buoys, cables and other devices that help the ship when docking. This equipment is designed to make mooring smooth and easy.

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Rudder angle indicator
Thierry Dosogne/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Take a wild guess! What is it?
Rudder angle indicator
Side ceiling
Hatch lock
Wheel house
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a rudder angle indicator, which tells the helmsman the present position of the rudder blade, aiding in navigation and calibration of the steering system of the vessel.

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Hawse pipe
Pjotr Mahhonin via Wiki Commons
What’s this?
Hawsepipe
Full throttle
Upright
Tweendeck
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The ship’s hawsepipe is the tube where the anchor’s chain passes through.

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Rate of turn indicator
Shutterstock
Can you name this piece of equipment?
Rate of Turn Indicator
Ballast tank
Deckhead
Lower hold
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rate of turn indicator (ROTI) is like a scale that measures — via degrees per minute — the rate the vessel is turning, just as its name suggests. It's a vital piece of equipment when it comes to navigation.

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Anchor chain
Edmund Lowe Photography/Moment/Getty Images
What’s the name of the item in this image?
Saddle tank
Gas mask
Anchor chain
Hoppers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The anchor chain is the one that passes through the hawse pipe. It securely holds the anchor on one end.

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Turbine
cunfek/E+/Getty Images
Do you know this particular equipment is called?
Turbine
Cargo holds
Hatch stitching
Automatic tracking aid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The turbine is part of the power plant of many ships. Steam turbines can be fueled by coal, fuel oil or nuclear power. On large vessels, they can be massive.

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Voyage data recorder
Edward Betts via Wiki Commons
What do you think this is?
Voyage data recorder
Radar scanner
Wheelhouse posters
Pilot card
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The voyage data recorder (VDR) that collects data about the ship's speed, communications, conditions and other information. Much like an aircraft's "black box," the VDR is usually colored orange for better visibility in recovery. While its primary function is for accident investigation, it can also be helpful to monitor the ship's condition and help for preventative maintenance.

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Gyroscope
Wiki Commons
What do you call this bit of the ship's equipment?
Maneuvering Booklet
Auto Pilot
Gyroscope
Automatic Identification System
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The main purpose of a gyroscope is to establish stability in the ship. The technology was first developed in the 19th and early 20th century.

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Windlass
Wexcan via Wiki Commons
Just a few more! What about this one?
Windlass
Black ball shape
Speed and distance log device
Forecastle bell
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The windlass is the mechanism that serves as a pulley system on the ship. It usually comes in the form of a roll drum where the cables or chains are attached, and is used for pulling or letting down weights, including the anchor.

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Antenna
Tony Webster via Wiki Commons
You got this! What’s this one called?
Clock
Sound reception system
Hood ornament
Antenna
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An antenna is a much-needed piece of equipment on a vessel. Its main job is to transmit information via airwaves and is critical for the ship's VHF communication system.

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Echo sounder
Mredmayne via Wiki Commons
And this bit of the ship's equipment is known as what?
Echo sounder
Identification system
Long range tracker
Navigational equipment maintenance record
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The echo sounder is used to monitor water depths. A type of sonar, this uses sound waves to reflect off an underwater surface and determine its depth.

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Day shapes
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_091104-N-3595W-063_Quartermaster_3rd_Class_Kandace_Smith_lowers_the_day_shapes,_signaling_to_other_ships_that_the_nuclear-powered_aircraft_carrier_USS_Dwight_D._Eisenhower_(CVN_69)_is_no_longer_conducting_restricted_man.jpg
Finally, what’s this particular ship equipment called?
Information system
Electronic chart display
Day shapes
ARPA
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Devices called day shapes are used to give obvious visual signals during the daytime and are hung like décor in the mast. They’re usually colored black, and different shapes — a ball, cylinder, cone or diamond — and positions of the display mean different things.

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You Got:
/40
Kin Lush/Moment/Getty Images lopurice/E+/Getty Images Douglas Sacha/Moment/Getty Images Stuart Gray/Moment Open/Getty Images