Fo’c’sle (Forecastle)

The forecastle: the raised forward part of a vessel or the space beneath it.

“Fo’c’sle” is a traditional contraction of “forecastle.” On older ships, the forecastle was a short raised deck at the bow, and the compartment below was commonly used as crew accommodation. On modern vessels the word may refer more generally to the forward deck area or an enclosed working and stowage space beneath it.

The precise arrangement varies considerably, so the term should not be defined solely by its relationship to the mast or by an accommodation use that may not exist on the vessel concerned.