T&T: 100 ton license definition ?

[Mike Maurice]

This general topic area doesn't seem to be able to die a decent death, 
so here is some additional trivia to hurt your brain.

Gross tonnage is a measurement of the overall internal volume of the 
vessel. The interpretation of this definition is subject to some 
variation by the various maritime countries and agencies.

Net Tonnage is defined loosely as the tonnage volume able to carry 
cargo. This definition is subject to even more variety of 
interpretation. There is less net tonnage than gross tonnage.

A "TON" is defined as 100 cubic feet and in maritime circles is the long 
ton, not the more common short ton of 2000 lbs. The long ton is 2240 
pounds. Long tons are used in maritime because that is the weight of 100 
cubic feet of sea water(not fresh).

As you can imagine it is a lot easier to do your figures in long tons 
when working up loading for a sea going ship.

A sea going vessel generally has been measured and assigned a Gross 
Tonnage figure. In the case of small vessels the measurement is often 
deduced from a table that makes certain assumptions about length, beam, 
draft and cabin size. Master/Operator licenses are generally assigned a 
restriction based upon Gross Tonnage.


Regards,
Mike

_____________________________________
Capt. Mike Maurice
Beaverton Oregon(Near Portland)