🔍 Key Concepts

• A headlog on a barge is the strong, nearly vertical plate at the extreme end of the barge that a towboat’s knees push against. • It is not part of the cargo box or deck; it is part of the rake structure at the bow or stern. • Look for the structural member that spans across the end of the barge, tying the sides together and protecting the bow when pushing.

💭 Think About

• On this side-view illustration, which letter is pointing to the heavy vertical (or near-vertical) plate at the very end of the barge, rather than to the bottom, deck, or cargo area? • If a towboat came up behind this barge to push it, which labeled part would it actually contact and push on? • Compare the labels at the ends of the barge: which one clearly marks the transverse end plate, instead of fittings on top or plating along the bottom?

✅ Before You Answer

• Make sure the part you choose is at the extreme end of the hull, not in the middle. • Confirm it is a transverse plate (across the barge), not the deck, bottom, or side shell. • Verify that your choice could realistically serve as the contact surface for a pushing towboat’s knees.