Bulwark:-
It is planking at the side of the ship to protect the passengers and crew from falling to sea.
Bulwark should not be welded to the sheerstrake to the half length amidship as this is liable to cause the plating to crack. This can be dealt with by riveting the bulwark to the sheer strake or by using FLOATING BULWARK which has an advantage that the space bw it and the deck edge act as the freeing port. It is normally found in rounded sheerstrake.
Bulwark in open position should be about 1 mtr high. They aresuooorted by stanchions. These must not be more than 1.2 mtr apart for forward 7% of the ship length in some ships but otherwise not be more than 1.83 mtr. They stay nearest to the ends of the bridge or long poops should be placed with 1.5 mtr of the break bulkhead and must be weld plates.
Freeing Port:-
The opening provided on ship side to allow water on deck to pass to the sea freely. The area of freeing port on each side depend on the length of the well deck. The lower edge of the ports must be as near to the deck as possible. Bars spaced about 230 mm apart must be fitted across the port. Where hinged flaps are fitted, hinges should be non corrodible material