Plimsoll Day

Plimsoll Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to Plimsoll lines. This development made it possible to significantly secure ships during navigation. They can carry a huge amount of cargo with the confidence that the ship will not sink due to overload. The holiday is celebrated annually on February 10.

History

The appearance of the Plimsoll lines was preceded by numerous ship sinkings. The reasons for such accidents were very simple – the ship was heavily overloaded or improperly loaded. In the second case, the cargo was strongly shifted to one side, which led to a strong list and further capsizing of the vessel.

The Englishman Samuel Plimsoll decided to correct such misunderstandings. He was a politician and an ardent supporter of social reforms. In 1853, he decided to start transporting coal by ship. However, he only lost a lot of money due to the fact that the ship sank. He began to study this problem in more detail, and at the end of the 19th century he proposed a reform of shipping. She suggested the introduction of Plimsoll lines. These marks on board showed the maximum possible level of immersion of the vessel in water.

Today, the use of the Plimsoll line makes it possible to make the movement of cargo ships safer. This development has significantly reduced the number of ship capsizing and sinking accidents.

Interesting facts

• Today, the phrase Plimsoll line is practically not used. It has been replaced by the term “waterline”.
• Marks are made on the sides corresponding to fresh and sea water. Due to the difference in densities of these two liquids, the level of submersion of the vessel will be different.

How to celebrate

Learn more about these lines at Plimsoll Day. Read about the established standards for submerging a boat under various conditions. Share your new knowledge with friends and family.

Tell about the holiday on social networks. Ask other users if they are familiar with Plimsoll lines.

When is Plimsoll Day celebrated in 2024?

Plimsoll Day is observed on February 10 each year.

Observations