Which term describes the vertical distance between a waterline and the bottom of a ship?

The term that describes the vertical distance between a waterline and the bottom of a ship is draft. Draft is a critical measurement in naval architecture and marine navigation, as it indicates how deep the ship sits in the water. It is essential for determining the safe passage of the vessel in different waters, ensuring that the ship does not run aground and can withstand various loading conditions.

Understanding draft is crucial for vessel stability and performance, as it affects the ship's hydrodynamics and stability characteristics. The ship's draft can change when it is loaded or unloaded, highlighting the importance of monitoring this measurement during operations.

In contrast, freeboard refers to the vertical distance from the waterline to the upper deck edges, indicating the ship's safety against flooding. Height typically refers to various vertical measurements on a vessel but does not specifically denote a relationship with the waterline. Loadline is a regulatory marking that indicates the maximum depth to which a ship may be safely loaded, but it is not directly a measure of distance from the waterline to the bottom of the ship.