What is the difference between quay and wharf

What is the difference between a quay and a wharf? Ask Question. Asked 1 year, 10 months ago. Active 1 year, 10 months ago. Viewed 3k times. Improve this question. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. The Merriam-Webster Unabridged definition of wharf probably paywalled contains a Synonym Discussion that notes emphases and formatting mine : wharf , probably the oldest of the terms applies to any structure projecting from the shore quay normally applies to wharves or piers characteristic of small places a quay is a docking facility at which ships lie parallel to the shoreline So: a quay is a wharf, but one constructed in a small place, in such a way that ships docked at it lie parallel to the shore.

Improve this answer. Looking around wordreference forums, I found the definitions an "old salt" gives after several years of experience. The difference between Pier and Wharf is that the first one goes into the water and the second one is parallel to shore.

I'm going to check out the picture of this port. Why do I want to be specific? Because this is a text signed by the port authority, main readers are proffessionals on shipping business, sailors, other port authorities, etc.

Quay makes me think about a large area where water is nearby as in Sydney, where the Opera House is at Circular Quay.

I'm going to go for wharf ;- Thank you very much. Q u a y - a wharf or landing-place for the loading and unloading of water-borne cargo. Landing platform beside a navigable waterway. Keywords or synonyms Quay, cay, key, quai, caye, kay, keye, kai, cayo, port, small port, wharf, stone wharf, harbour, harbor, embankment, waterfront, dockside, riverfront, lakefront, oceanfront, beachfront, reef, shoal, barrier, berth, dock, jetty, cai, levee, pier, slip, kae, hecg, harbourside venue, harborside.

Could anyone give some images of a "wharf" and a "pier" because I cannot differenciate them Last edited by a moderator: Apr 16, Pier A pier is a raised structure, including bridge and building supports and walkways , over water, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars. The lighter structure of a pier allows tides and currents to flow almost unhindered, whereas the more solid foundations of a quay or the closely-spaced piles of a wharf can act as a breakwater , and are consequently more liable to silting.

The ones we have are concrete n or steel but wooden logs are tied on sides, like cushion. Then but whats a Marina? A harbour lets ships dock in deep water but artificially or natural features making the water body calm and safe.

So a port is basically an infrastructure to berth ships within calm waters n undertake exchange of goods. When the depth is less, then instead of Port, it could be a quay or jetties of fishing vessels. So in any case a geographic feature or man made break water is what keeps the water body inside cut off from what's happening outside. A port or quay without some sort of breakwater will be open to storms n other elements of sea. Else it should be way inland like a river or lake connected to sea n deep enough to take ships to an infrastructure made aside an inland waterbody.

Please correct my understanding n also what is a Marina. I hv been associated with ports breakwaters lagoons n everything since childhood but still can't really explain the difference with confidence. Thank you! Is it called the same if it is offshore? I mean, if it is located at an oil platform. Can you tell me the difference between terminal wharf and jetty..???

And one more confusion is there jatty is always used for oil or gas tanker or other cargo. The most widely recognized activity offenses incorporate going over as far as possible, inconsiderate or perilous driving, drink driving, drugs driving, unlicensed driving and driving when suspended.

Legacy Law a. The pics also made it easier to understand the differences. It's not my first time to pay a quick visit this site, i am visiting this web site dailly and obtain good facts from here everyday. No, the proper nautical term is "moored. A vessel can be moored to a pier, wharf, quay,or dock, even moored to a buoy. I always understood "moored" to mean attached to a permanent anchor in open water ie, a buoy , as oppose to "anchored" which uses the vessel's own equipment which is retrieved when the vessel departs.

Where I'm from "docks" and "docked" are used, generally for smaller craft. Terms like "fuel dock" are common. I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day! Free Mockup. Post a Comment. The Shipping Law Blog. Posted by Editor at Labels: australia , canary wharf.

Thank you Unknown 29 August at This comment has been removed by the author. Editor 30 August at Yes, it is. Sign up Sign in. English UK. Question about English UK. What is the difference between Quay and Wharf and Berth?

Feel free to just provide example sentences. Report copyright infringement. The owner of it will not be notified. Only the user who asked this question will see who disagreed with this answer. Read more comments. It's part of the mainland and usually covered in concrete.