Disembarkation ordebarcation/debarkation is the process of leaving a ship or aircraft, or removinggoods from a ship or aircraft. (debark: from the Frenchdes meaning "from", and,barque, meaning "small ship").[1][2]
The loading and unloading ofcargo has traditionally been handled bystevedores, also known as longshoremen, wharfies, etc. Today, the vast majority of non-bulk cargo is transported inintermodal containers,[3] which are loaded and unloaded usingspecialized cranes.[4]
People normally board and depart a ship via a gangplank (gangway), a movable structure usually consisting of a ramp with stairs and railings. The gangplank may lead to either a dock or a small boat (orlighter) that connects to the shore. Accidents during disembarkation are most often due to being struck by a rope (line), railing or other items due to the ship's motion, or attempting to avoid such items. The second most common cause is slipping or tripping on the gangway.[5]
Military debarking procedures, even in non-combat zones, can be quite complex.[6][7] In addition to routine operations, debarking can be conducted under fire as part of amphibious assaults, such as that of theNormandy landings duringWorld War II. In such cases, it is vital that cargo be loaded so it can be unloaded in the order needed, rather than simply to maximize the use of space. This is calledcombat loading.Landing craft are used to transport both troops and cargo to the shore.[8]
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