A taffrail is the handrail around the open afterdeck or poop deck. He left the pantry, and joined the crowd running aft toward the poop deck. Not all ships have an afterdeck or poop deck. The cabin class passengers had access to the poop deck for exercise. I worked the poop deck in his uniform. Traditionally, the hull has a horseshoe-shaped stern supporting a high poop deck. The poop deck was removed to improve stability. A poop deck usually is higher up than an afterdeck. The rear deck of a ship is often called the afterdeck or poop deck. Her cabins, of which she has two, are under a poop deck. Lee was on the poop deck and luckily managed to hold on to the rail. A poop deck and other topside additions were made or rebuilt entirely. At the stern, the poop deck provides an elevated position ideal for observation.