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What does the stern grate do on a carrier? Is for getting pushed by tugs?
Navy photo via Navy News Service
Not for pushing. The grate on the stern of US Carriers is part of a boarding dock system.
At anchorage, all small boat traffic is via the dock. From there through a secure access portal to the quarterdeck. This limits the access to the internals of the ship to potential bad actors. This is much better than multiple gangways (officer & enlisted) at different parts of the ship