View source for Afterdeck

[[File:ship diagram-numbers.svg|thumb|right|The afterdeck on this ship the deck from point 1 to 2.<br> Main parts of ship. '''1''':&nbsp; [[Funnel (ship)|Funnel]]; '''2''':&nbsp;[[Stern]]; '''3''':&nbsp;[[Propeller]] and [[Rudder]]; '''4''':&nbsp;[[Portside]] (the right side is known as [[starboard]]); '''5''':&nbsp;[[Anchor]]; '''6''':&nbsp;[[Bulbous bow]]; '''7''':&nbsp;[[Bow (watercraft)|Bow]]; '''8''':&nbsp;[[Deck (ship)|Deck]]; '''9''':&nbsp;[[Superstructure]] ]]

In [[naval architecture]], an '''afterdeck''' or '''after deck''', or sometimes the '''aftdeck''', '''aft deck''' or '''a-deck''' is the open [[Deck (ship)|deck]] area toward the [[stern]] or aft back part of a [[ship]] or  [[boat]]. The afterdeck can be used for a number of different purposes, yet not all ships have an afterdeck. In place of the afterdeck, a ship may be built with a [[poop deck]], that is a deck that forms the roof of a cabin built in the rear, or "aft", part of the [[superstructure]] of a ship; a poop deck is usually higher up than an afterdeck.  A ship may have its superstructure or [[aftercastle]] located in the stern and thus not have an afterdeck. The stern and afterdeck of a ship are usually more smooth and stable than the bow (front) of the ship in motion.
A [[taffrail]] is the [[handrail]] around the open afterdeck or poop deck. On [[Sailing ship|wooden sailing ships]] like  [[man-of-war]] or [[East Indiaman]] the taffrail is usually a hand carved wood rail and often highly decorated.<ref>[http://www.gettyimages.com/photos/taffrail?excludenudity=true&sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=taffrail Getty Images, Taffrail Pictures and Images]</ref> 
<ref>[http://phrontistery.info/nautical.html http://phrontistery.info, Nautical Terms]</ref><ref>Yachting,  Dec. 2006 issue, page 94</ref><ref>[https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Team-Ships/PEO-Ships/LPD-17/ US Navy, LPD 17 Program Summary, Jan. 2017]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.sname.org/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=a04d378b-14d4-401e-b1fe-bfb1626fa154 Marine Technology, Vol. 18, No. 1, Jan. 1981, pp. 38-50 Motion Studies of a Vessel with Water on Deck by Jeff Dillingham]</ref>

==Afterdeck uses==
* [[Navy]] war ships may use the afterdeck to mount [[deck gun]]s.
* [[Missile boat]]s may have missiles launching on the afterdeck.
* [[Minelayer|Minelaying]] gear on Navy ship's afterdeck.
* [[Minesweeper]] gear on Navy ship's afterdeck.
* [[Depth charge]] launching on Navy ship's afterdeck.
* [[Torpedo tube]] for [[torpedo]] launching on Navy ship's afterdeck.
* Some Navy and private ships use the afterdeck as a [[helicopter deck]] for a [[heliport]] for [[helicopter]]s.
* A [[sundeck]] for chairs, [[chaise longue]] and [[couch|lounge chairs]].
* Rear deck [[swimming pool]] with a sundeck.
* On [[fishing boat]]s a place to lay [[fishing net]]s or [[big-game fishing]] chairs or [[fishing trawler|trawler gear]].
* [[Cable layer|Cable laying]] gear.
* [[Scuba diving]] deck.
* [[Amphibious vehicle]] launching
* [[Submersible]] launching
* [[Water skiing]] launching
* [[Samson post]], a strong pillar-post for a towing cable or other support.
* [[Crane (machine)|Lifting crane]] or [[gantry crane]].
* [[Ferry]] ramp for vehicles.
* [[Ancient Greece]] ships sometimes had [[shrines]] or [[altars]] on the afterdeck.<ref>[http://www.salimbeti.com/micenei/ships.htm The Greek Age of Bronze Ships]</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HMNZS Canterbury Pacific Partnership.jpg| {{HMNZS|Canterbury|L421|6}} with a large aftdeck for helicopters.
File:Canterbury's Helicopter Afterdeck.jpg| {{HMNZS|Canterbury|L421|6}}'s helicopter afterdeck.
File:Photograph of President Truman and members of his staff relaxing on the after deck of his yacht, the U.S.S.... - NARA - 199029.jpg|President Truman and members of his staff relaxing on the afterdeck of the yacht {{USS|Williamsburg}}.
File:US Navy 100329-N-1481K-293 USS Independence (LCS 2) arrives at Mole Pier at Naval Air Station Key West.jpg|After deck of {{USS|Independence|LCS-2|6}}.
File:HO3S landing on after deck of USS Manchester (CL-83).jpg|[[HO3S]] landing on after deck of {{USS|Manchester|CL-83|6}}.
File:After deck Abeille Bourbon.jpg|After deck of ''[[Abeille Bourbon]]''.
File:USS LCS(L) 102.jpg|Sailors on the afterdeck of {{HTMS|Nakha}}.
File:Aft pool golden princess.jpg|Aftdeck pool on ''[[Golden Princess (2000)|Golden Princess]]''.
File:RTOP-21 krma.jpg|Missile launchers on the after deck of ''[[Croatian missile boat Šibenik|Šibenik]]'' 
File:Lifeboat.stern.17-31.arp.jpg|After deck of a UK [[Lifeboat (rescue)|Rescue Lifeboat]] ''17-31''.
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Common names for decks]]
*[[Main deck]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Sailing ship elements}}

[[Category:Sailing ship components]]
[[Category:Shipbuilding]]
[[Category:Nautical terminology]]