Hatch beams, also known as hatch webs, are found in older general cargo vessels. These are heavy, fitting into sockets welded or reverted to the inner side of the hatch coamings. The hatch beams serve to support portable hatch covers. Hatch beams also restores to some extent the transverse structural strength of the vessel which has been affected by the absence of deck beams over the full breadth of the ship.