> The main functions of watertight bulkhead is to divide the ship into water tight compartments and thus restrict the volume of water which may enter the ship if the shell plating is damaged. Most watertight bulkheads are transverse in orientation, some ships also have longitudinal watertight bulkheads.
> Serves to separate different of cargo and to decide tanks and machinery space from the cargo space
> In case of fire reduce the rate of fire spread
> Strengthen the ship
> Longitudinal girders and deck longitudinal are supported at the bulkheads which therefore acts as pillars
> At the same time they tie together the deck and tank top and hence reduce vertical deflection when compartments are full of cargo
> The plating of a transverse bulkhead usually consists of a series of horizontal strakes welded together. The thickness of these strakes increase with depth, in order to strengthen the bulkhead against the maximum hydrostatic pressure in case the compartment is fully flooded.
The number of transverse bulkheads in a ship is dependent on the length of the ship. However all ships must
> a collision or fore peak tank bulkhead
> an aft peak tank bulkhead
> a bulkhead at each end of the engine room