The construction of the dock should be such that it offers maximum berthing length. Some docks can be naturally sheltered, however, most have to be provided with artificial structures such as walls, lee breakwaters etc. Secondly, the dock should be well-sheltered from winds and water currents. However, it is easier for seaport docks as the water can be replaced with readily available seawater. In the case of River ports or inland ports, old standing water is changed by constructing canals linked with nearby rivers or water bodies. The dock should have a mechanism for replacing the old, stagnant water with fresh water. Most times the entrance channel needs to be dredged regularly. The entrance channel of the dock should be of adequate depth to allow easy movement of ships or container vessels into the docking space.
All these factors have to be taken into account while constructing a dock at a river or a sea coast. Also, the latter is a busy port in terms of the volume of traffic handled.
Different kinds of cargo are handled at inland and seaports. Consequently, a dockyard is a structure comprising docks and other port equipment.ĭocks are built on river ports or seaports and so both have different requirements and should be built accordingly. Secondly, by digging into dry land, bordering the shores, to carve out an enclosed water space, distinct from the open waters. First by making encircling wall-like structures in a sea or ocean, near the coastline. Dock Constructionĭocks can be constructed in two ways. The enclosed docks protect the ships from the water currents that may otherwise make loading and unloading a cumbersome activity. Since these operations take a few days, the vessel needs to be kept afloat at an adequate water level. Docks are also used for maintenance, repair and even construction of ships.ĭocks are an important maritime structure for loading or discharging cargo from ships. Since they are built in an enclosed water space, they provide a safe parking space for vessels. The adequately spaced pillars allow the structure to stand firm against the water and tidal currents.ĭocks have multiple purposes, the most important being mooring or berthing huge sea or ocean-going vessels and container ships. Piers are often a walking pavement or platforms supported by pillars, made usually of concrete or wood. Secondly, piers are defined as an elongated structures jutting out from the shores to the waters. They define a dock as an enclosed region in water, separate from the open sea or ocean, that is used primarily for trade and shipping operations such as loading and unloading ships, carrying out repairs etc. The former see the dock and pier as a narrow, sometimes tapering and an elongated construction built at the coast that spreads out in the waters, some distance from the shore.Ĭonversely, the British make a careful distinction between the two terms. Dock vs Pier- the differenceĭock and Pier are referred to as synonyms by American English speakers but it is not so regarding their British counterparts. This article will explore the difference between a dock and a pier, their uses and types. The words dock and pier are often used interchangeably in common usage to portray the same meaning, however, in the maritime world, they are important structures that allow shipping, trade, and sea recreation.
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