Bitts vs. Bollard — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
Bitts are pairs of posts on the deck of a ship for fastening ropes, while a bollard is a short, sturdy vertical post often used on docks or streets.
Difference Between Bitts and Bollard
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Key Differences
Bitts are integral to the structure of a ship or boat, designed specifically for securing lines during maritime operations. They are usually made of metal and come in pairs for winding ropes around them. Bollards, although similar in function, are not exclusive to ships and are often found on quaysides to secure ships and in urban environments as traffic control posts.
A bollard is typically standalone and can be used for a variety of purposes, including securing vehicles and as a visual guide for traffic management. Bitts, on the other hand, are always found in pairs and are specific to nautical uses, designed to withstand the forces exerted by a ship's mooring lines. Both serve to control, direct, or limit movement, but their contexts of use are quite distinct.
The construction of bitts is often robust, capable of bearing heavy loads, and is a permanent fixture of a vessel. Bollards may also be robust but can be found in removable or collapsible forms, especially in urban settings for temporary access or emergency situations. Their maritime versions are similarly strong to accommodate mooring stresses.
Bitts are characterized by their location on the ship's deck and are essential for mooring and towing operations. They are usually tall enough to allow ropes to be easily wound and unwound. Bollards, found both on land and at sea, are not limited by height and can be of various shapes and sizes, tailored to the specific needs of their location.
In appearance, bitts often consist of two vertical posts with a crosspiece, creating a figure-eight path for rope, while bollards are singular posts that can be cylindrical, flat-topped, or even ornamental. The choice between using bitts and bollards is determined by the application, with bitts being the choice for marine activities and bollards for a broader range of functions including traffic management, security, and mooring.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Context
Maritime; used on decks of ships and boats.
Maritime and land; used on docks, streets, and parking lots.
Composition
Typically come in pairs.
Usually standalone posts.
Purpose in Context
Specifically for securing ropes.
For mooring, traffic control, and security barriers.
Structural Design
Two posts with a crosspiece to guide ropes.
Singular post, varying designs including cylindrical.
Variation
Less varied, mostly standardized for marine use.
Highly varied, from simple to ornamental or collapsible.
Compare with Definitions
Bitts
Anchoring points on a ship.
The deckhand checked the bitts for signs of wear.
Bollard
A post used to control or direct road traffic.
A row of bollards separated the bicycle lane from the road.
Bitts
A pair of vertical posts on a deck.
Heavy lines were secured to the bitts during the storm.
Bollard
A mooring post on a dock.
The ship was secured to a bollard at the pier.
Bitts
Marine fixtures for mooring.
Bitts must be strong to handle the tension of mooring lines.
Bollard
A post for securing vehicles.
He locked his bike to a bollard outside the shop.
Bitts
Posts on a ship for securing ropes.
The sailor wrapped the rope around the bitts to moor the vessel.
Bollard
A structural element for security purposes.
Concrete bollards protect the building's entrance from vehicles.
Bitts
Deck equipment for lines.
Ropes were coiled neatly by the bitts after docking.
Bollard
A bollard is a sturdy, short, vertical post. The term originally referred to a post on a ship or quay used principally for mooring boats, but is now also used to refer to posts installed to control road traffic and posts designed to prevent automotive vehicles from colliding or crashing into pedestrians and structures, whether intentional from ram-raids and vehicle-ramming attacks, or unintentional losses of control.
Bitts
Bitts are paired vertical wooden or metal posts mounted either aboard a ship or on a wharf, pier or quay. The posts are used to secure mooring lines, ropes, hawsers, or cables.
Bollard
(Nautical) A thick post on a ship or wharf, used for securing ropes and hawsers.
Bitts
A vertical post, usually one of a pair, set on the deck of a ship and used to secure ropes or cables.
Bollard
One of a series of posts preventing vehicles from entering an area.
Bitts
To wind (a cable) around a bitt.
Bollard
A projecting bulge of snow or ice used as an anchor for a rope in mountaineering.
Bitts
A frame composed of two strong oak timbers (bitt-heads) fixed vertically in the fore part of a ship, bolted to the deck beams to which are secured the cables when the ship rides to anchor
Bollard
(nautical) A strong vertical post of timber or iron, fixed to the ground and/or on the deck of a ship, to which the ship's mooring lines etc are secured.
Bitts
A frame of two strong timbers fixed perpendicularly in the fore part of a ship, on which to fasten the cables as the ship rides at anchor, or in warping. Other bitts are used for belaying (belaying bitts), for sustaining the windlass (carrick bitts, winch bitts, or windlass bitts), to hold the pawls of the windlass (pawl bitts) etc.
Bollard
A similar post preventing vehicle access to a pedestrian area, to delineate traffic lanes, or used for security purposes.
Bollard
An upright wooden or iron post in a boat or on a dock, used in veering or fastening ropes.
Bollard
A strong post (as on a wharf or quay or ship for attaching mooring lines);
The road was closed to vehicular traffic with bollards
Bollard
A safety feature in pedestrian areas.
Bollards were installed to prevent cars from entering the plaza.
Common Curiosities
Are bitts only used on ships?
Yes, bitts are specifically designed for use on maritime vessels.
What are bitts used for?
Bitts are used to secure mooring lines on ships.
What materials are bollards made of?
Bollards can be made of steel, concrete, plastic, or other durable materials.
How are bitts installed?
Bitts are permanently affixed to the deck of a ship.
Can bollards be used for safety?
Yes, bollards are often used to enhance safety by controlling vehicle access.
Do bitts come in different sizes?
Bitts do vary in size depending on the ship's requirements.
Why are bitts important for a ship?
Bitts are crucial for safely mooring and securing the ship at dock.
Can bollards stop a car?
Some bollards are designed to stop vehicles, providing security against ramming.
Are bollards always fixed in place?
No, some bollards are removable or collapsible, especially on land.
Is there a standard height for bitts?
There is no standard height, but they are typically tall enough to easily manage ropes.
Can bollards be found on ships?
Yes, bollards can also be used on ships and docks for mooring purposes.
Do bitts and bollards serve the same function?
While both can be used for mooring, bitts are specific to ships, and bollards have broader uses.
Are bollards decorative?
Bollards can be decorative, especially those used in urban landscapes.
Do bollards need maintenance?
Yes, bollards, like any infrastructure, require maintenance, especially in harsh weather conditions.
Are there any regulations for installing bitts?
Yes, maritime safety regulations dictate specifications for bitts on ships.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
