ballast: heavy material carried to weigh down something
bolster: to strengthen or reinforce
mariners: sailors
friction: rubbing one surface or object against another
solitary: by oneself
caliber: ability level
catastrophic: extremely bad
margin: border or space
avidly: eagerly or enthusiastically
carcass: dead body of an animal
comrade: companion or buddy
plummeted: fell rapidly
ghastly: horrible or terrifying
apparatus: equipment