Dypgangs

Dypgangs is a nautical term used in Norwegian and Danish maritime practice to refer to a vessel’s draft, the vertical distance between the waterline and the lowest point of the hull. The term derives from dyp meaning deep and gang meaning walk or step, and in English-language nautical literature the concept is typically described as draft or draught. Dypgangs is central to ship classification, port clearance, and regulatory reporting.

Measurement and significance: Draft varies with load, ballast, fuel, and cargo, as well as salinity and temperature. Accurate dypgangs assessment is essential for ensuring under-keel clearance, determining the suitability of a berth, and avoiding grounding. Designers aim to balance cargo capacity with required draft, often incorporating adjustable ballast or variable-depth features on specialized vessels.

Operational use: Port authorities publish maximum dypgangs for each berth and waterway. Vessels with draft approaching or exceeding limits must plan routes around deeper tides, use dredged channels, or offload cargo. In coastal and shallow-water areas, monitoring dypgangs is part of safe navigation and harbor management.

See also: Draft (shipping), Draught, Under keel clearance, Naval architecture, Ship stability.