A cockpit is a name for the location of controls of a vessel; while traditionally an open well in the deck of a boat outside any deckhouse or cabin, in modern boats they may refer to an enclosed area.
Smaller boats typically have an ''aft cockpit,'' towards the stern of the boat, whereas larger vessels may provide a ''center cockpit'' with greater protection from weather.
On a recreational sailboat, the cockpit is considered the most safe external location for crew.
A bridge deck is a raised separation between an external cockpit and cabin or saloon, used to keep water from astern from entering from the cockpit, especially in following seas.
History
In the
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against Fr ...
, the term cockpit originally referred to the area where the
coxswain
The coxswain ( , or ) is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from ''cock'', referring to the cockboat, a type of ship's boa ...
was stationed. This led to the word being used to refer to the area towards the stern of a small decked vessel that houses the rudder controls. The
midshipmen
A midshipman is an officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Canada (Naval Cadet), Australia, Bangladesh, Namibia, New Zealand, Sout ...
and
master's mate
Master's mate is an obsolete rating which was used by the Royal Navy, United States Navy and merchant services in both countries for a senior petty officer who assisted the master. Master's mates evolved into the modern rank of Sub-Lieutenant in t ...
s were later
berthed in the cockpit, and it served as the action station for the ship's surgeon and his mates during battle.
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References
{{Sailing ship elements
Sailboat components
Sailing ship components