Shoring Deck

This item is intended to be used to make going ashore quicker and easier for sailors, when the ship is in a place without adequate docking facilities. In practice, however adequate it may be for that purpose, the shoring deck is seldom used in that manner.

Ultimate Equipment Guide II

Author Greg Lynch, J. C. Alvarez
Publisher Mongoose Publishing
Publish date 2005

The shoring deck is composed of wooden planks over a hardwood frame, and is about 15 feet wide and 20 feet long. On one end it has a set of four hooked and barbed spikes, while on the other it merely has a pair of hooks. The shoring deck is most commonly used for boarding other ships. By sliding the deck over the gunwale, the barbed spikes can be driven into the hull or deck of an opposing ship, and held fast on the other end with the pair of hooks designed to slip onto the gunwale. Successfully hooking an enemy ship with the shoring deck requires a Profession (sailor) skill check (DC 15). There is enough room on the sides of the shoring deck that up to five other individuals can use the aid another action to help ensure the success of hooking the deck to the enemy ship. Once in place, the shoring deck serves as a wide, sturdy platform for sailors to cross from one ship to the other.

When not in use, the shoring deck is usually stored in a recessed area of the ship’s main deck.

Shoring Deck: 150 gp; 600 lb.