| Abandon vessel (to)
|
To evacuate crew and passengers from
a vessel following a distress
|
| Accommodation ladder
|
Ladder attached to platform at vessel's
side with flat steps and handrails enabling persons to embark / disembark
from water or shore
|
| Adrift
|
Uncontrolled movement at sea under the influence
of current, tide or wind
|
| Air draft
|
The height from the waterline to the highest point
of the vessel
|
| Assembly station
|
Place on deck, in mess rooms, etc., assigned
to crew and passengers where they have to meet according to the muster
list when the corresponding alarm is released or announcement made
|
| Backing (of wind)
|
Shift of wind direction in an anticlockwise
manner, for example from north to west (opposite of veering)
|
| Beach (to)
|
To run a vessel up on a beach to prevent its sinking
in deep water
|
| Berth
|
.1 A sea room to be kept for safety around a vessel,
rock, platform, etc.
|
| .2 The place assigned to a vessel when anchored or lying
alongside a pier, etc.
|
| Blast
|
A whistle signal made by the vessel
|
| Blind sector
|
An area which cannot be scanned by the
ship’s radar because it is shielded by parts of the superstructure,
masts, etc.
|
| Boarding arrangements
|
All equipment, such as pilot ladder,
accommodation ladder, hoist, etc., necessary for a safe transfer of
the pilot
|
| Boarding speed
|
The speed of a vessel adjusted to that
of a pilot boat at which the pilot can safely embark/disembark
|
| Bob-cat
|
A mini-caterpillar with push-blade used for the
careful distribution of loose goods in cargo holds of bulk carriers
|
| Briefing
|
Concise explanatory information to crew and/or
passengers
|
| Cable
|
.1 Chain connecting a vessel to the anchor(s)
|
| .2 Wire or rope primarily used for mooring a ship
|
| .3 (Measurement) one hundred fathoms or one tenth of a
nautical mile
|
| Capsize (to)
|
To turn over
|
| Cardinal buoy
|
A seamark, i.e. a buoy, indicating the
north, east, south or west, i.e. the cardinal points from a fixed
point such as a wreck, shallow water, banks, etc.
|
| Cardinal points
|
The four main points of the compass:
north, east, south and west
|
| Casualty
|
Here: case of death in an accident or
shipping disaster
|
| Check (to)
|
.1 To make sure that equipment etc. is in proper
condition or that everything is correct and safe
|
| .2 To regulate motion of a cable, rope or wire
when it is running out too fast
|
| Close-coupled towing
|
A method of towing vessels through polar
ice by means of icebreaking tugs with a special stern notch suited
to receive and hold the bow of the vessel to be towed
|
| Close up (to)
|
To decrease the distance to the vessel
ahead by increasing one’s own speed
|
| Compatibility (of goods)
|
Indicates whether different goods can
be safely stowed together in one cargo space or in an adjacent hold.
|
| Vessel constrained by her draft
|
A vessel severely restricted by her draught
in her ability to deviate from the course followed in relation to
the available depth and width of navigable water
|
| Convoy
|
A group of vessels which sail together, e.g. through
a canal or ice
|
| Course
|
The intended direction of movement of a vessel
through the water
|
| Course made good
|
That course which a vessel makes good
over ground, after allowing for the effect of currents, tidal streams,
and leeway caused by wind and sea
|
| COW
|
Crude Oil Washing: a system of cleaning
the cargo tanks by washing them with the cargo of crude oil during
discharge
|
| CPA/TCPA
|
Closest Point of Approach/Time to Closest Point
of Approach: limit as defined by the observer to give warning when
a tracked target or targets will close to within these limits
|
| Crash-stop
|
An emergency reversal operation of the
main engine(s) to avoid a collision
|
| Damage control team
|
A group of crew members trained for fighting
flooding in the vessel
|
| Datum
|
.1 The most probable position of a search target
at a given time
|
| .2 The plane of reference to which all data as to the depth
on charts are referenced
|
| Derelict
|
Vessel still afloat, abandoned at sea
|
| Destination
|
Port for which a vessel is bound
|
| Disabled
|
A vessel damaged or impaired in such a manner as
to be incapable of proceeding on its voyage
|
| Disembark (to)
|
To go from a vessel
|
| Distress alert (GMDSS)
|
A radio signal from a distressed vessel
automatically directed to an MRCC giving position, identification,
course and speed of the vessel as well as the nature of distress
|
| Distress/Urgency traffic
|
Here: the verbal exchange of information
on radio from ship to shore and / or ship to ship / aircraft about
a distress / urgency situation as defined in the relevant ITU Radio
regulations
|
| Draught (or draft)
|
Depth in water at which a vessel floats
|
| Dragging (of anchor)
|
Moving of an anchor over the sea bottom
involuntarily because it is no longer preventing the movement of the
vessel
|
| Dredging (of anchor)
|
Moving of an anchor over the sea bottom
to control the movement of the vessel
|
| Drifting
|
Being driven along by the wind, tide or current
|
| Drop back (to)
|
To increase the distance from the vessel
ahead by reducing one's own speed
|
| DSC
|
Digital Selective Calling (in the GMDSS system)
|
| Embark (to)
|
To go aboard a vessel
|
| EPIRB
|
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
|
| Escape route
|
A clearly marked way in the vessel which
has to be followed in case of an emergency
|
| Escort
|
Attending a vessel to be available in case of need,
e.g. ice-breaker, tug, etc.
|
| ETA
|
Estimated Time of Arrival
|
| ETD
|
Estimated Time of Departure
|
| Fathom
|
A measure of 6 feet
|
| Fire patrol
|
A member of the watch going around the
vessel at certain intervals so that an outbreak of fire may be promptly
detected; mandatory in vessels carrying more than 36 passengers
|
| Flooding
|
Major uncontrolled flow of seawater into the vessel
|
| Fire monitor
|
Fixed foam/powder/water cannon shooting
fire-extinguishing agents on tank deck, manifold etc.
|
| Foul (of anchor)
|
Anchor has its own cable twisted around
it or has fouled an obstruction
|
| Foul (of propeller)
|
A line, wire, net, etc., is wound round
the propeller
|
| Full speed
|
Highest possible speed of a vessel
|
| Fumes
|
Often harmful gas produced by fires, chemicals, fuel, etc.
|
| General emergency alarm
|
A sound signal of seven short blasts
and one prolonged blast given with the vesseĺs sound system
|
| Give way
|
To keep out of the way of another vessel
|
| GMDSS
|
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
|
| (D) GPS
|
(Differential) Global (satellite) Positioning System
|
| Half cardinal
points
|
The four main points
lying between the cardinal points: north east, south east, south west
and north west
|
| Hampered vessel
|
A vessel restricted by her ability to
manoeuvre by the nature of her work
|
| Hatchrails
|
Ropes supported by stanchions around an open hatch
to prevent persons from falling into a hold
|
| Heading
|
The horizontal direction of the vessel's bows at
a given moment measured in degrees clockwise from north
|
| Hoist
|
Here: a cable used by helicopters for lifting or lowering
persons in a pick-up operation
|
| Icing
|
Coating of ice on an object, e.g. the mast or superstructure
of a vessel
|
| IMO Class
|
Group of dangerous or hazardous goods, harmful
substances or marine pollutants in sea transport as classified in
the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code)
|
| Inert (to)
|
To reduce the oxygen in a tank by inert gas to
avoid an explosive atmosphere
|
| Initial course
|
Course directed by the OSC or other authorized
person to be steered at the beginning of a search
|
| Inoperative
|
Not functioning
|
| Jettison (to) (of cargo)
|
To throw goods overboard in order to
lighten the vessel or improve its stability in case of an emergency
|
| Launch (to)
|
To lower, e.g. lifeboats, to the water
|
| Leaking
|
Escape of liquids such as water, oil, etc., out
of pipes, boilers, tanks, etc., or a minor inflow of seawater into
the vessel due to damage to the hull
|
| Leeward
|
On or towards the sheltered side of a ship; opposite
of windward
|
| Leeway
|
Vessel’s sideways drift leeward of the desired
course
|
| Let go (to)
|
To set free, let loose, or cast off (of anchors,
lines, etc.)
|
| Lifeboat station
|
Place assigned to crew and passengers
to muster before being ordered into the lifeboats
|
| List
|
Here: inclination of the vessel to port side or starboard
side
|
| Located
|
In navigational warnings: Position of object confirmed
|
| Make water (to)
|
To have seawater flowing into the vessel
due to hull damage, or hatches awash and not properly closed
|
| MMSI
|
Maritime Mobile Service Identity number
|
| Moor (to)
|
To secure a vessel in a particular place by means
of wires or ropes made fast to the shore, to anchors, or to anchored
mooring buoys, or to ride with both anchors down
|
| MRCC
|
Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre: land-based authority
responsible for promoting efficient organization of maritime search
and rescue and for co-ordinating the conduct of search and rescue
operations within a search and rescue region
|
| Muster (to)
|
To assemble crew, passengers or both in a special
place for purposes of checking
|
| Muster list
|
List of crew, passengers and others on board and
their functions in a distress or drill
|
| Not under command
|
(abbr. NUC): a vessel which through exceptional
circumstances is unable to manoeuvre as required by the COLREGs
|
| Obstruction
|
An object such as a wreck, net, etc., which blocks
a fairway, route, etc.
|
| Off air
|
When the transmissions of a radio station, etc.,
have broken down, been switched off or suspended
|
| Off station (of buoys)
|
Not in charted position
|
| Oil clearance
|
Oil skimming from the surface of the
water
|
| Operational
|
Ready for immediate use
|
| Ordnance exercise
|
Naval firing practice
|
| OSC
|
On-Scene Co-ordinator: A person designed to co-ordinate
search and rescue operations within a specified area
|
| Overflow
|
Escape of oil or liquid from a tank because of
a twofold condition as a result of overflowing, thermal expansion,
change in vessel trim or vessel movement
|
| Polluter
|
A vessel emitting harmful substances into the air
or spilling oil into the sea
|
| Preventers
|
Ropes or wires attached to derricks to prevent
them from swinging during cargo handling operations
|
| Proceed (to)
|
To sail or head for a certain position
or to continue with the voyage
|
| PA-system
|
Public address system: loudspeakers in the vessel's
cabins, mess rooms, etc., and on deck through which important information
can be broadcast from a central point, mostly from the navigation
bridge
|
| Recover (to)
|
Here: to pick up shipwrecked persons
|
| Refloat (to)
|
To pull a vessel off after grounding;
to set afloat again
|
| Rendez-vous
|
An appointment between vessels normally
made on radio to meet in a certain area or position
|
| Reported
|
In navigational warnings: position of object unconfirmed
|
| Restricted area
|
A deck, space, area, etc., in vessels
where, for safety reasons, entry is only permitted for authorized
crew members
|
| Resume (to)
|
Here: to re-start a voyage, service or search
|
| Retreat signal
|
Sound, visual or other signal to a team
ordering it to return to its base
|
| Rig move
|
The movement of an oil rig, drilling platform,
etc., from one position to another
|
| Roll call
|
The act of checking how many passengers and crew
members are present, e.g. at assembly stations, by reading aloud a
list of their names
|
| Safe speed
|
That speed of a vessel allowing time for effective
action to be taken under prevailing circumstances and conditions to
avoid a collision and to be stopped within an appropriate distance
|
| SWL
|
Safe working load: maximum working load of lifting equipment
that should not be exceeded
|
| Safe working pressure
|
The maximum permissible pressure in cargo
hoses
|
| SAR
|
Search and Rescue
|
| SART
|
Search and Rescue Transponder
|
| Scene
|
The area or location where the event, e.g. an accident,
has happened
|
| Search pattern
|
A pattern according to which vessels
and/or aircraft may conduct a co-ordinated search (the IMOSAR offers
seven search patterns)
|
| Search speed
|
The speed of searching vessels directed
by the OSC
|
| Seamark
|
A navigational aid placed to act as a beacon or
warning
|
| Segregation(of
goods)
|
Separation of goods
which for different reasons must not be stowed together
|
| Shackle
|
.1 Length of chain cable measuring 15
fathoms
|
| .2 U-shaped link closed with a pin used
for connecting purposes
|
| Shifting cargo
|
Transverse movement of cargo, especially
bulk cargo, caused by rolling or a heavy list
|
| Slings
|
Ropes, nets, and any other means for handling general
cargoes
|
| Speed of advance
|
The speed at which a storm centre moves
|
| Spill
|
The accidental escape of oil, etc., from a vessel, container,
etc., into the sea
|
| Spill control gear
|
Anti-pollution equipment for combating
accidental spills of oils or chemicals
|
| Elongated spreader
|
Here: step of a pilot ladder which prevents
the ladder from twisting
|
| Stand by (to)
|
To be in readiness or prepared to execute
an order; to be readily available
|
| Stand clear (to)
|
Here: to keep a boat away from the vessel
|
| Standing orders
|
Orders of the Master to the officer of
the watch which he/she must comply with
|
| Stand on (to)
|
To maintain course and speed
|
| Station
|
The allotted place or the duties of each
person on board
|
| Stripping
|
Final pumping of tank’s residues
|
| Survivor
|
A person who continues to live in spite
of being in an extremely dangerous situation, e.g. a shipping disaster.
|
| Take off (to)
|
To lift off from a vessel's deck (helicopter)
|
| Target
|
The echo generated, e.g. by a vessel, on a radar
screen
|
| Tension winch
|
A winch which applies tension to mooring
lines to keep them tight
|
| TEU
|
Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (standard container dimension)
|
| Track
|
The path followed, or to be followed, between one position
and another
|
| Transit
|
Here: the passage of a vessel through
a canal, fairway, etc.
|
| Transit speed
|
Speed of a vessel required for passage
through a canal, fairway, etc.
|
| Transhipment (of cargo)
|
Here: the transfer of goods from one
vessel to another outside harbours
|
| Underway
|
Describes a vessel which is not at anchor,
or made fast to the shore, or aground
|
| Union purchase
|
A method of cargo handling by combining
two derricks, one of which is fixed over the hatch, the other over
the ship’s side
|
| Unlit
|
When the light of a buoy or a lighthouse are inoperative
|
| UTC
|
Universal Time Co-ordinated (GMT)
|
| Variable (of winds)
|
A wind that is constantly changing speed
and direction
|
| Veering (of winds)
|
Clockwise change in the direction of
the wind; opposite of backing
|
| Veer out (to)(of anchors)
|
To let out a greater length of cable
|
| VHF
|
Very High Frequency (30-300 MHz)
|
| Walk out (to)
(of anchors)
|
To reverse the
action of a windlass to lower the anchor until it is clear of the
hawse pipe and ready for dropping
|
| Walk back (to)
|
To reverse the action of a windlass to
ease the cable (of anchors)
|
| Waypoint
|
A position a vessel has to pass or at
which she has to alter course according to her voyage plan
|
| Windward
|
The general direction from which the
wind blows; opposite of leeward
|
| Wreck
|
A vessel which has been destroyed, sunk
or abandoned at sea
|