Draught Marks (draught scale)
Numeric scale painted on the bow, mid, and stern of the ship indicating the depth of submergence at that point.
In practice
Read by the OOW or pilot at sailing draft. Discrepancy between port and starboard side draft indicates list; bow/stern draft indicates trim. Loaded draft is recorded on the noon-position report.
Regulatory detail & full definition
Required by Load Line Convention. Measured in metres (international) or feet (some US flag). Read at six points (forward port + starboard, mid port + starboard, aft port + starboard) before/after cargo for draught-survey calculations. Modern shipss often have hydrostatic-pressure draught sensors as primary read.
Authoritative source: Load Line Convention 1966 ↗
Related
Source: Load Line Convention 1966 Reg. 4; standard naval architecture
High confidence
Editorial confidence: how we grade.