PLIMSOLL MARK

The waterline is the line where the hull of a ship meets the surface of the water, in concept or reality. Specifically, it is also the name of a special marking, also known as the national Load Line or Plimsoll Line (positioned amidships), that indicates the draft of the ship and the legal limit to which a ship may be loaded for specific water types and temperatures in order to safely maintain buoyancy, particular with regard to the hazard of waves that may arise. This is now linked with the International Load Line Convention 1966 ( a Convention that was held in London) which re-examined and amended the 1930 rules. The 1966 Convention has since seen amendments in 1971, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1995 and 2003.