For centuries, shipbuilders have used a variety of colors to paint their vessels – ranging from bright red to crisp white. One color that is notably absent from the maritime world, however, is black. So why is it that ships are not painted black?
One reason is the simple fact that black absorbs heat. While this may not seem like a big deal on land, when you’re out on the open sea, the sun’s rays can cause temperatures to skyrocket. If a ship were painted black, it would absorb much more heat than a lighter color, and this could lead to everything from discomfort to actual structural damage.
Another reason is visibility. Ships need to be visible to other vessels and to aircraft to prevent accidents. If a ship were painted black, it would be incredibly difficult to see, especially at night or during inclement weather.
In addition, black paint tends to fade quickly in the sun and saltwater. This means that ships that are painted black would need to be repainted more frequently than those painted in lighter colors, which could be quite costly in terms of time and money.
Finally, there is the issue of tradition. For many years, shipbuilders have simply preferred other colors to black. This may be due to superstition (black has long been associated with bad luck), or simply a matter of personal preference.
There are many reasons why ships are not painted black. From practical concerns like heat absorption and visibility, to issues of cost and tradition, there are simply too many drawbacks to make black a viable color choice for most shipbuilders. Instead, we are left with a rainbow of colorful vessels sailing the world’s oceans – each one as unique as the people who built them.