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Battens serve different purposes in various contexts:
- Long strips of wood used in the mold loft for fairing lines: In shipbuilding and boat construction, battens are long, thin strips of wood or sometimes metal used to create fair lines or smooth curves when laying out and adjusting the shape of the hull in the mold loft. They help ensure that the shape of the hull or superstructure conforms to design specifications.
- Wooden protective strips in cargo holds: In cargo ships and other vessels with cargo holds, battens are also used as protective strips. These are typically wooden boards or planks fixed horizontally along the sides of the cargo hold. They serve to protect the cargo from damage, especially during loading, unloading, and rough seas, by preventing direct contact with the ship’s metal structure or other cargo.
These dual uses highlight the versatility of battens in maritime applications, from precision shaping in ship construction to practical cargo protection in maritime transport.
See Related Terms:
- Cargo battens
- Hatch battens