gangplank or gangway???

[hombre]

now this is a silly question coming from a guy who has cruised over 25 times. i always refer to the opening in the side of the ship where one embarks and debarks, as well as the ramp itself, as the "gangway". in the ship's daily schedule, at least on hal, it specifies a time when the gangway will be raised. but, some refer to it as the 'gangplank' -- sounds like something out of an old pirate movie to me. i would never ask someone to meet me at the gangplank. maybe the opening is the gangway and the ramp is the gangplank. picky, i know, but this is 'ask cruisemates'. thanks for a reply.

[Marc]

You have been correct; it is the gangway.

The people who call it a "gangplank" also call the dining room the "dinning room." As people don't like to correct others out of courtesy, many keep repeating their errors.

[Snoozeman]

gang·plank (gngplngk)
n.
A board or ramp used as a removable footway between a ship and a pier. Also called gangway.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Snoozeman

gang·plank (gngplngk)
n.
A board or ramp used as a removable footway between a ship and a pier. Also called gangway.

Snoozer, thanks!

[Bentnail]

Is is a gangway, I walk the gangways to get on and off. I do not walk the gangplank, all that I ever heard or seen on TV you walk the gangplank to get off in the middle of the sea with no way to get back on.
So it is a gangway.

[Snoozeman]

# Gangplank - A board with cleats, forming a bridge reaching from a gangway of a vessel to the wharf.
# Gangway - A narrow portable platform used as a passage, by persons entering or leaving a vessel moored alongside a pier.

[Lombard]

Originally Posted by Snoozeman

# Gangplank - A board with cleats, forming a bridge reaching from a gangway of a vessel to the wharf.
# Gangway - A narrow portable platform used as a passage, by persons entering or leaving a vessel moored alongside a pier.

So the "Gangplank" is the basis or the heart of the "Gangway"?

[Snoozeman]

Originally Posted by Lombard

So the "Gangplank" is the basis or the heart of the "Gangway"?

That's how I interpret it. One nautical dictionary said the gangway was the opening on the side of the ship used to embark & debark, the gangway would be be from there to dock.

I think the entire area has been shortened to gangway; however, when the crew is stowing away I bet they call the ramp a gangplank and not a gangway. ie. 'Help me lift the gangplank'.

[hombre]

thanks, folks. i'll stick with 'gangway' for the whole thing.

[Paul Motter]

Gangway is always the proper term to use on a cruise ship. Its a modern conveyance with rails, and sometimes is fully covered, as in an airport where they also use gangways to get people off the plane.

A gangplank is a board - usually with no rail, and "cleats" to provide traction. The word is archaic and comes from the days when that was all you used to board a wooden boat or ship. You walked the gangplank into the sea, with a sword poking you in the back and your hands tied behind you.

[colorcrazie]

Wow Paul,
I knew that you know a lot, but it's a little scarey how much detailed knowledge you have about the use of a gangplank in the good old days!

Marty

[Paul Motter]

Must be my past life