Coaming is any vertical surface on a ship designed to deflect or prevent entry of water. It usually consists of a raised section of deck plating around an opening, such as a cargo hatch. Coamings also provide a frame onto which to fit a hatch cover.
The protective metal sheeting or plating protecting against water entry into ventilation shafts in large ships is called a coaming as it suits this purpose.
The term was borrowed by the aviation industry to refer to a low rim around the opening for an unenclosed cockpit.
The origin of the term is unknown.[1]
Coaming also refers to the raised structure around the cockpit of a kayak.
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External links
Look up coaming in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.