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A removable housing holding an engine valve, allowing it to be withdrawn for maintenance as a unit.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