Maritime Terms Flashcards
What is Abandonship?
Entirely to vacate a ship and to relinquish, or repudiate, all duties towards her preservation. Done only when the carrying out of these duties is impossible, or when the destruction of the ship is imminent.
What does Abeam mean?
Position or direction that lies at right angles to the ship’s fore and aft line.
Who is an Able Seaman?
An experienced seaman competent to perform the usual and customary duties on deck. In sailing ships, had to be able to ‘hand, reef and steer.’
What does Aboard mean?
On board. In, into or inside a vessel. Close alongside.
What does Abreast refer to?
Said of ships on parallel courses when a beam of each other. Objects inside a ship are abreast when they are in the same transverse line.
What is Absolute Humidity?
Weight of water held in a given volume of atmospheric air.
What is Acceptance in maritime terms?
A signing of a document as evidence of having read it, and/or readiness to fulfill its requirements.
What are Accommodations on a ship?
Spaces in a ship set apart from messrooms, sleeping places, ablutions, and recreation.
What is an Accommodation Ladder?
Sloping series of steps, usually of wood fitted with handrails and extending from waterline to an entry into the ship, to facilitate safe embarkation and disembarkation.
What is an Act of God?
Casualty due to extraordinary circumstances, to which there was no human contribution, and which could not have been foreseen or averted by the exercise of any amount of reasonable intelligence or endeavor.
What are Admiralty Charts?
Charts produced and issued by the Hydrographics Department of Admiralty.
What does Adrift mean?
Unattached to the shore or ground and at the mercy of wind and tide. Colloquially used to mean missing from its place, absent from place of duty, broken away from fastening.
What does Ad Valorem mean?
According to value. Used when goods referred to are assessed by their value, and not by weight or quantity.
What is an Affidavit?
Solemn declaration made before a person legally authorized to administer an oath.
What does Affirmed mean?
Ratified and confirmed.
What does Afloat mean?
Completely waterborne.
What is After Peak?
Enclosed space immediately forward of stern frame. Enclosed by a transverse bulkhead and side and bottom plating. Used as a ballast tank or store.
What is an Agreement in maritime context?
Short name for ‘Articles of Agreement’ entered into by a master and crew of a vessel.
What does Aground mean?
State of a vessel when she ceases to be completely waterborne and her weight is taken, partially or completely, by the ground.
What does Ahead refer to?
Direction in front of the ship. Position in front of the ship.
What does ‘Ahoy’ mean?
Seaman’s call to attract attention.
What does All Aboard mean?
Order to embark.
What does All Hands refer to?
All the crew.
What does Alongside mean?
Close beside a ship, wharf, or jetty. In charter parties, means that the ship is so close to wharf or lighter that cargo can be transferred from one to the other by tackles.
What are Amphibia?
Animals capable of living both under water and on land.
What is Anchorage?
An area in which the holding ground is good and suitable for ships to anchor.
What is Anchor Bell?
Bell, in fore part of ship, rung during fog in accordance with Rule of ‘Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.’ Sometimes used for indicating to bridge the number of shackles of cable that are out.
What does Anchor’s Aweight mean?
Report that anchor has been hove out of ground and is clear of it.
What is Anchor Stock?
Method of wooden shipbuilding in which butts of timbers were placed at the middle of timbers above and below.
What is Anchor Watch?
Officer and a few men of duty watch who remain on deck when the ship is at anchor in an open roadstead.
What is Antifouling?
Paints and preparations that attack and kill marine life that tries to attach itself to the ship’s underwater skin.
What is an Apprentice?
A minor who has been bound by indentures to serve a shipowner for a period-usually three or four years - in return for instruction in the duties of a deck officer, together with food, accommodation, and such money payments as may be agreed.
What is an Arc?
Part of a circumference of a circle.
What does Ashore mean?
On shore, on the land. Ship is ashore when aground on or near the shore.
What does Astern mean?
Outside a ship and directly abaft her.
What does Athwartships refer to?
Transversely across a ship. From one side to the other.
What is an Automatic Helmsman?
Machine that is controlled by compass and controls steering engine. Automatically keeps head on a pre-selected course.
What is an Awning?
Canvas spread above a deck to give protection from sun and rain.
What are Backstays?
Ropes led from a mast to a position abaft it. They support the mast against forces acting in a forward direction.
What is Barratry?
Any wrongful act knowingly done by the master or crew of a vessel to the detriment of the owner of either ship or cargo; and which was done without knowledge or consent of owners.
What is a Beacon?
Erection on land, or in shoal waters, intended as a guide or warning to vessels navigating in sight of it. May be fitted with a light, or lights or may emit a radio signal.
What does Bearing mean?
Direction in which an object, or position, lies from an observer.
What is a Berth?
Place in which a vessel is moored or secured. Space around a vessel at anchor, and in which she will swing. An allotted accommodation in a ship.
What does Between Decks refer to?
Between lower and upper decks.
What is a Bilge Keel?
External keel placed along bilge of a steel ship. It assists in stiffening, protects plating from stresses when on ground, reduces rolling at sea. All bilge keels cause a reduction in speed.
What are Bilges?
Spaces, between margin plates and ship’s side, into which water drains, and from which it can be pumped.
What is a Binnacle?
Stand, of wood or metal, in which a compass is suspended and in which lighting and compensation units are carried.
What are Binoculars?
A pair of small telescopes connected so that each eye looks through one of them, used by seamen either ‘Prismatic or Galilean.
What is a Boat Drill?
Statutory mustering at lifeboat stations so that all on board are fully aware of their duties and stations in the event of emergencies that require the use of boats.
What is a Boom?
Spar for extending foot of sail; usually for fore and aft sails - but studding sails were sheeted to booms.
What is Boot Top?
Ship’s side plating between light and load water lines.
What is a Bow Thruster?
A controllable pitch propeller placed in an athwartship tunnel in the fore part of a ship open to the sea, which gives a transverse thrust to assist a ship when berthing or maneuvering at slow speed.
What is Bulk Cargo?
Cargo such as grain, coal, iron, ore, etc., that is loaded in bulk and not in packages or containers.
What is a Bulkhead?
Transverse, or fore and aft, vertical partition in a vessel to divide interior into compartments. Not necessarily watertight.
What is Bulk Oil?
Cargo when carried in tanks instead of casks, drums, etc.
What are Bulwarks?
Plating or wooden erection around outboard edge of upper deck to protect deck from entry of sea.
What is Bunting?
Thin, woolen material used for making flags, ensigns, etc.
What is a Buoy?
Floating object that is used to mark a position.
What does Buoyancy refer to?
Difference between weight of an immersed, or partly immersed, object and the upward pressure of the liquid in which it is. If the weight be lighter the buoyancy will be positive; if the weight be heavier the buoyancy will be negative.
What is a Cabin?
Small compartment in a ship set apart for use of an officer, passenger, or other person.
What is a Call sign?
Group of Morse signs allotted to a ship, or shore station, for identification purposes.
What is a Cancelling Clause?
Inserted in a charter party, or other document, to entitle one party to withdraw from the contract if specified conditions are not observed.
What is a Canoe?
Narrow-beamed craft propelled by paddles.
What does Capsize mean?
To overturn or upset.
What does Celestial refer to?
Pertaining to the sky, or celestial.
What is a Certificate of Clearance?
Issued to master of immigrant ship, by immigration officer when the latter is satisfied that ship is seaworthy, in safe trim, fit for intended voyage, that steergate passengers and crew are fit in health, that master’s has been fully executed.
What is a Certificate of Freeboard?
International certificate, issued by an ‘Assigning Authority,’ detailing minimum permissible freeboards in stated areas at specified times. Often called ‘Load Line Certificate.’
What is a Certificate of Pratique?
Certificate issued by medical officer of port to an arrived ship when he is satisfied that health of crew is satisfactory. Pre-requisite to ‘Entry Inwards.’
What is a Certificate of Registry?
A vessel’s identity certificate issued by government of a country through assigning authorities, after vessel’s has been surveyed. Given relevant particulars, rig, dimensions, tonnage, machinery, etc.
What is a Certificate of Seaworthiness?
Certificate granted by a surveyor, or Court of Survey, when the seaworthiness of the vessel may be open to question, and after she has been examined and found seaworthy.
What is a Channel?
Narrow arm of sea between two land areas. Deepest part of a body of water, and through which main current flows.
Who is a Charterer?
One who enters into a contract with a shipowner for the hire of a vessel, or for the carriage of goods by sea.
What is a Charter party?
Document by which a shipowner leases his ship to some person or persons, or by which he agrees to carry goods or perform other services. It states the conditions, terms, and exceptions that are to prevail in the contract.
What is a Cleat?
Metal or wood fitting having two projecting horns and fastened securely at the middle. Used for securing or controlling ropes.
What is a Cofferdam?
Space between two bulkheads or walls, that receives and retains any liquid that has leaked through one wall.
What is a Cold Front?
Line in which cold air inserts itself beneath a mass of warm air.
What is a Compass Bearing?
Direction of an observed point or object as indicated by compass.
What is a Compass Course?
Angle between North-South line of a magnetic compass and ship’s fore and aft line.
What is Compass error?
Angle that North-South line of compass makes with true meridian at a position. Is of the same value as the ‘Correction’ it in name.
What are Compass Needles?
Magnetized steel needles of high retentivity, that tend to keep North-South line of compass card in magnetic meridian.
What is a Compass Rose?
Graduated circles, on a chart, that indicate direction of true and magnetic North, and angular values from these points.
Who is a Consignee?
One to whom goods are sent.
What is a Container Ship?
Merchant ship built to carry large containers of standard size packed with cargo.
What does Contraband mean?
Prohibited, illegal. Applied to goods forbidden to be imported or exported.
What is a Crew?
Personnel, other than Master, who serve on board a vessel.
What are Crew Gangways?
Elevated gangways provided for crew in tankers. Extend from poop to bridge and from bridge to forecastle.
What is a Crew List?
Nominal list of crew, their ages, birthplaces, nationality and rating, together with other particulars.
What are Date Lines?
Line on which time zones - 12 hours and + 12 hours meet. The time is the same on either side, but the dates are one day different.
What is a Davit?
Iron or steel (formerly wood) fitting projecting over ship’s side for attachment of tackle for hoisting and lowering boat, accommodation ladder, anchor, store, etc.
What is Dead Freight?
Money paid to ship for failure to provide a full cargo promised.
What is Dead Reckoning?
Calculation of a ship’s position by consideration of distance logged, courses steered and estimated leeway.
What does Dead Weight refer to?
Total weight, in tons, of cargo, stores and fuel carried by a vessel at her maximum permitted draught.
What is a Deck Hand?
Seaman, other than officer, who serves on deck. Man of 17 years of age, or over with at least one year’s sea service.
What is a Deck Officer?
In general, an officer whose duties are connected with the deck department.
What is a Deck Watch?
Watch that is used for timing sights taken on deck. Is compared with chronometer.
What is a Deep Tank?
Ballast tank extending from ‘between deck to bottom of ship, and from shipside to shipside.
What does Demise mean?
Temporary transfer of a vessel to another party under such terms and conditions that the owner ceases to have any control over her for the period of the charter.
What is Demurrage?
Money paid to shipowner, by charterer, when his ship is detained beyond the lay days mentioned in a charter party.
What is a Derrick?
Boom or spar used for hoisting or lowering weights. Made of wood or steel, controlled by guys, supported by topping lift.
What is a Derrick Post?
Stump mast used for taking topping lift of a swinging derrick.
What is Despatch Money?
Agreed amount paid by shipowner to receiver of cargo when cargo is discharged in less than the contracted time.
What is a Diesel engine?
Oil engine in which ignition of fuel is caused by compression. Cycle comprises air compression, fuel injection, ignition, and scavenging.
What does Disembark mean?
To come out of a ship. To put off ship and put ashore.
What does Distress mean?
In a state of danger and in need of assistance.
What is a Dock?
Artificial excavation or construction in which ships can be placed for loading, unloading, fitting out, or repairing.
What is a Double bottom?
Space between inner and other bottom plating of hull.
What is Drift?
Name given to ocean current that is generated and maintained by a more or less constant wind.
What is a Dry dock?
Excavated dock, fitted with watertight entrance, from which water can be pumped to allow work to be done on underwater portion of a docked ship.
What is Dunnage?
Any material, permanent or temporary, that is used to ensure good stowage, and protect cargo during carriage.
What does Duty Free mean?
Exempted from customs duty.
What is Ebb Tide?
Tide that is falling from high water to low water.
What is Echo Sounding?
Ascertainment of depth of the water by use of an echo sounder.
What is an Eclipse?
Cessation of light due to passing into a shadow, applied to darkening of Moon’s disk when it passes into shadow cast by earth.
What is an Embargo?
Governmental restraining or the sailing of a ship from a port, or the shipment of specified cargo.
What does Embarkation mean?
The going on board or putting on board a vessel.
What is Engagement?
Act of hiring or employing.
Who is an Engineer?
Officer who is in charge of engines for the time being. Certified officer competent to take charge of engines and to affect repairs and adjustment.
What is an Engine Room?
Space in which main engines are situated, controlled and attended.
What does Fast mean?
Hawser by which a vessel is secured. Said of a vessel when she is secured by fasts.
What is a Foremast?
Forward mast in a vessel having two or more masts.
What is a Fore Peak?
Space between the forward bulkhead and the bow of the ship.
What is freeboard?
Height that outboard edge of deck is above water level.
What is a freeboard certificate?
Load line-certificate, issued by an assigning authority acting on behalf of Government, stating the statutory freeboards of a vessel in specified areas and seasons.
What is fresh water allowance?
Amount that a loadline may be submerged when loading in water of less density than that of salt water.
What is a furnace?
That part of a boiler in which fuel is burnt.
What is a gangway?
Entrance into a ship at head of accommodation ladder.
What is gas-freeing?
Removing pockets of gas from compartments of an oil-carrying vessel after cargo has been discharged.
What does G.M.T. stand for?
Greenwich Mean Time.
What is gross pressure?
Total pressure as differentiates from pressure that ignores atmospheric pressure.
What is hail?
Precipitation of small pieces of ice, or small balls of packed snow, from cumulonimbus clouds.
What is a hale?
Circle of light around a luminous body, particularly applied to such a circle around Sun or Moon.
What is a hatch?
Opening in deck that gives access to hold or space below.
What is a hatch beam?
Removable section of a beam, on which hatch covers are laid.
What is hatch coaming?
Raised wall of steel, or other material, around a hatch.
What is hatch money?
Gratuity formerly given to a shipmaster on right discharge of cargo.
What is a head line?
Transporting line that is run from a vessel to a position ahead when warping.
What does ‘heave’ mean?
To lift, to haul strongly; to haul in cable, to lift an anchor.
What is a heaving line?
Small line that is thrown so that end reaches a position outside ship.
What does hoist mean?
To lift.
What is a hull?
Body of ship excluding interior fittings.
What is humidity?
Moistness of atmosphere due to its water vapor content.
What is a hurricane?
Violent cyclonic storm, especially around certain regions.
What are intercardinal points?
Those points halfway between the cardinal points of a compass.
What is Jacob’s ladder?
Jack ladder, particularly one going up a royal mast.
What is the Jansen Clause?
Included in a policy of marine insurance to relieve insurer’s of a liability for losses less than 3 percent of insured value.
What is a keel?
Principal member of ship construction.
What is a knot?
Nautical knot of velocity representing a speed of 6080 ft. per hour.
What is a label clause?
Inserted in policies of marine insurance covering bottled goods.
What are lay days?
Days allowed by charter party for loading and/or discharging cargo.
What is leeway?
Distance a vessel is forced to leeward of her course by action of wind.
What does ‘let go’ mean?
Of an anchor. To let it drop in the water.
What is a letter of indemnity?
Document given by the person to another renouncing any claim in specified circumstances.
What are lifeboats?
Boats compulsorily carried in a ship for preservation of crew and passengers.
What is a lifeboatman?
One who mans a shore-based lifeboat.
What is lifeboat service?
Saving, or attempted saving, of vessels, or of life and property.
What is a lifejacket?
A jacket made buoyant by 35 oz. of kapok or other equally buoyant material.
What is a lifeline?
Rope rigged or attached for purposes of security or rescue.
What is life-saving apparatus?
Gear placed at certain positions ashore for rescue of personnel.
What are life-saving appliances?
All boats, rafts, buoys, jackets, line throwing apparatus, and other appliances for lifesaving purposes.
What is a life-saving rocket?
Pyrotechnic missile fired from ashore to pass over a stranded vessel.
What is lifting gear?
Derrick and cranes, with all their furniture and attachments.
What is load draught?
Vertical distance from lowest part of keel to load water line.
What are load lines?
Marks cut into ship’s side plating indicating maximum draughts.
What is a lubber line?
Vertical line on fore side of inside of compass bowl.
What does lunar pertain to?
Pertaining to Moon, particularly applied to method of longitude.
What does making way mean?
Moving ahead or astern through the water.
What is a manhole?
Perforation in a boiler shell or other enclosed space to allow a man to enter.
What is a manifold?
Group of valves for pump suctions and deliveries.
What is manila rope?
Made from Manila hemp, contains natural oil and does not need tarring.
What is a maneuver?
Regulated change of direction, position or speed to attain a desired end.
What are manropes?
Protective ropes at side of a ladder or inclined wooden steps.
What is a mariner?
In general, a person employed in a sea-going vessel.
What is maritime law?
Law as relating to shipping, seamen, navigation and harbours.
What is a maritime lien?
Legal right of Master to have a ship held as security for wages unpaid.
What is a mate?
An officer assistant to Master, responsible for stowage and care of seamen.
What is a mate’s log?
Book kept by Mate, recording work done by crew.
