Bow visor

A bow visor is a feature of some ships, in particular ferries and roll-on/roll-off ships, that allows the bow to articulate up and down, providing access to the cargo ramp and storage deck near the water line.

[1] However, in modern ferry design over the last 45 years, bow visors have given way to clam doors.

Instead of one large visor, two halves open horizontally to reveal the loading ramp and deck.

With clam doors, the forces of the waves are absorbed by the surrounding bow superstructure.

Bow visor failure has also directly caused the loss of some ships, such as the MS Estonia in 1994.