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The quarterdeck is the most important part of a ship where the commanding officer issues commands and the navigator fixes the ship’s position. It is also the most formal location on the ship, requiring proper dress and cleanliness. Specific protocols for boarding are also in place.
A quarterdeck is the part of a ship intended for use by the commanding officer during official ceremonies and functions. When the ship is in port, it is considered the most important part of the entire ship, serving as the central location from which commands are issued. The captain commands from the head of the quarterdeck, and the navigator uses it to fix the ship’s position in open water. Under normal circumstances, the quarterdecks of sailing vessels are specifically labeled through knotted ropes, lines drawn on the deck, or other types of markings that indicate their position and relative importance compared to the rest of the open deck on the ship.
In addition to being used for command and navigation purposes, the quarterdeck serves as the most formal location on the ship. The people who run the quarterdeck must always remain dressed in the uniform of the day, which is the specific military uniform designed for the soldiers on that specific day. Others not properly dressed will go out of their way to avoid setting foot in this area, as doing so while poorly dressed is considered a serious violation of boating etiquette. The only exception to this is when crossing deck is unavoidable during the course of a regular work assignment.
Although cleanliness is generally the norm for most of the ship, as a ceremonial and important site, special attention is paid to the quarterdeck to keep it in its best possible appearance at all times. The crew generally work to keep the quarterdeck free of debris of all kinds, scrubbing and cleaning as necessary to maintain a pristine appearance. A quarterdeck that is not clean or well maintained can reflect poorly on both the discipline of the crew and the skill of the officers who run the ship.
In addition to the protocols for who can be on the quarterdeck, there are also specific protocols for boarding the deck. The ship’s officers, along with their visitors, often use the starboard gangway. All other individuals mount the deck via the port gangway. The only exception to this is in times of bad weather; In these circumstances, all persons, including officials, will use the Lee gangway, which is the one downwind.
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