What is the purpose of a bulkhead on a ship?

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Bulkheads are vertical partitions inside a ship that divide the interior into separate compartments. This serves two important purposes. First, they contain water or fire to a limited area, helping the ship stay afloat and safer in emergencies. Second, they add strength to the hull by tying the structural frames together, increasing rigidity and resisting bending and twisting in rough seas. In short, bulkheads both protect the vessel from flooding and fire and reinforce the ship’s structural integrity. They’re not primarily for supporting masts, creating storage space, or decorative purposes.