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Vacuum cleaners

Source page ref: 628
Equipment used to clean spaces by suction; industrial types are used for cleaning cargo residues and dust.

Vacuum toilets

Source page ref: 628
Toilets that use a vacuum to remove waste with little water, common aboard ship to reduce water use and the volume of sewage.

Valve

Source page ref: 628
A device that controls the flow of a fluid in a pipe by opening, closing, or restricting the passage.

Valve cage

Source page ref: 629
A removable housing holding an engine valve, allowing it to be withdrawn for maintenance as a unit.

Valve characteristics

Source page ref: 629
The relationship between a valve's opening and the flow it passes, which determines its suitability for isolating or regulating duties.

Valve chests

Source page ref: 629
A grouping of valves in a common housing or manifold, simplifying the arrangement of a system.

Valve disc

Source page ref: 629
The moving part of a valve that seats to stop flow and lifts to allow it.

Valve manifold

Source page ref: 629
An arrangement of valves at a common junction used to direct flows between several lines.

Vapour emission control system

Source page ref: 629
A system that captures and controls the vapours displaced from cargo tanks during loading, preventing their release to the atmosphere, used on tankers at terminals. IMO-grounded

Vapour lines

Source page ref: 629
Piping that carries cargo vapour, for example for vapour return during loading or for venting on tankers and gas carriers.

Vapour lock system

Source page ref: 629
A device that allows a sounding or sampling tube to be used while limiting the escape of cargo vapour to the atmosphere. IMO-grounded

Vapour pressure

Source page ref: 629
The pressure exerted by the vapour of a liquid in equilibrium with it, a measure of the liquid's volatility important for cargo handling.

Variable Injection Timing (VIT)

Source page ref: 630
An engine feature that varies the timing of fuel injection with load to optimise efficiency and emissions.

Variable Inlet Valve Closing (VIC)

Source page ref: 630
An engine feature that varies the timing of inlet-valve closing to control the effective compression and improve efficiency and emissions.

Vehicle spaces

Source page ref: 88
Cargo spaces intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks, subject to particular ventilation and fire-protection requirements under SOLAS. IMO-grounded

Ventilation

Source page ref: 630
The supply and movement of air through spaces for breathing, cooling, and the removal of fumes; ventilation arrangements and their closure in a fire are governed by SOLAS. IMO-grounded

Ventilator

Source page ref: 630
A fitting that admits or extracts air to and from a space.

Ventilator coaming heights

Source page ref: 630
The required heights of ventilator coamings above the deck, set by the Load Line Convention to keep out water. IMO-grounded

Ventilator head

Source page ref: 630
The top of a ventilator, often shaped or fitted with closing devices to admit air while excluding rain and spray.

Venting system of chemical tankers

Source page ref: 631
The arrangement that relieves and controls the pressure in chemical cargo tanks and safely disperses vapours, required under the IBC Code. IMO-grounded

Vertical escape chute system

Source page ref: 370
A marine evacuation system using a vertical chute down which people descend from the ship to a liferaft or platform. IMO-grounded

Vertical welding position

Source page ref: 631
A welding position in which the weld is made on a vertical joint, worked upward or downward.

Very large crude carrier (VLCC)

Source page ref: 631
A very large oil tanker, broadly in the range of about 200,000 to 320,000 deadweight tonnes, used to carry crude oil on long-haul routes.

Vessel constrained by her draught

Source page ref: 632
Under the collision regulations, a power-driven vessel so restricted by its draught relative to the depth and width of water that it cannot deviate from its course, which shows prescribed lights and shapes. IMO-grounded

Vessel engaged in fishing

Source page ref: 632
Under the collision regulations, a vessel fishing with gear that restricts its manoeuvrability, which has particular rights and shows prescribed lights and shapes. IMO-grounded

Vessel not under command

Source page ref: 632
Under the collision regulations, a vessel unable to manoeuvre as required because of exceptional circumstances, which shows prescribed lights and shapes. IMO-grounded

Vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre

Source page ref: 632
Under the collision regulations, a vessel whose work (such as dredging, cable laying, or surveying) restricts its manoeuvrability, which shows prescribed lights and shapes. IMO-grounded

Vibration damper

Source page ref: 634
A device that absorbs and reduces vibration, such as a torsional vibration damper fitted to a crankshaft.

Vigilance system

Source page ref: 634
A bridge or engine watch-alarm system that monitors the watchkeeper's alertness and raises an alarm if no activity is detected. IMO-grounded

Viscosity

Source page ref: 635
A fluid's resistance to flow, an important property of fuels and oils that must be controlled, for example by heating heavy fuel before injection.

Vital auxiliary pumps

Source page ref: 635
Pumps essential to the safe operation of the ship, such as those for cooling, lubrication, and fuel, whose supply must be maintained. IMO-grounded

Void space

Source page ref: 637
An enclosed empty space in the ship's structure, not used for cargo, ballast, or stores, often acting as a barrier or buffer.

Voith Cycloidal Rudder

Source page ref: 637
A proprietary steering device based on the cycloidal (vertical-blade) principle, providing thrust and steering in any direction.

Voith Turbo Fin

Source page ref: 637
A proprietary fin fitted ahead of the propeller to recover energy and improve propulsive efficiency.

Voith Water Tractor

Source page ref: 637
A highly manoeuvrable tug using Voith Schneider cycloidal propulsion for precise control.

Volatile petroleum

Source page ref: 639
Petroleum products with a low flashpoint that readily give off flammable vapour, requiring stringent fire precautions in carriage. IMO-grounded

Volume of displacement

Source page ref: 639
The volume of water displaced by the immersed hull, which multiplied by the water density gives the ship's displacement.

Voyage data recorder (VDR)

Source page ref: 639
A protected recorder that continuously stores navigation, communication, and other data for casualty investigation, required for certain ships under SOLAS. IMO-grounded