The phrase "call at" is a term often used in nautical or transportation contexts, describing a specific action or visit made to a particular location, usually for a brief period of time. It primarily refers to the act of a ship, boat, or any means of transportation stopping at or visiting a specific place, such as a harbor, port, or station, with the intention of disembarking or embarking passengers, loading or unloading cargo, or taking on supplies.
When a vessel or transportation mode calls at a location, it implies that it is making a scheduled or planned stop, usually as part of a larger journey or route. This can include commercial ships, cruise liners, trains, buses, or even airplanes that pause at designated locations during their regular course of travel.
The purpose of calling at a particular place varies, depending on the type of transportation. For ships, it often entails docking at a port to allow passengers to disembark or take on new ones, as well as to load or unload goods and fuel. Similarly, trains might call at stations to pick up or drop off passengers, while planes may call at airports for similar purposes.
In summary, "call at" describes the deliberate act of stopping or visiting a specific location as part of a transportation process, typically involving embarkation, disembarkation, or cargo handling.
