Maritime Terms Flashcards
1
Q
Mate’s Receipt
A
Documents signed by Mate when goods for carriage are received.
2
Q
Mayday
A
The international spoken radiotelephony signal of distress.
French ‘m’aidez,’ meaning ‘Help Me’.
3
Q
Mist
A
Thin fog that reduces visibility to less than two miles.
4
Q
Monkey Fist
A
Knots sometimes put in end of heaving line to increase its carrying power.
5
Q
Monkey Islands
A
Screened navigating and compass position on top of a wheel house or chart house.
6
Q
Monsoon
A
Persistent wind that blows from one direction in summer, and from an approximate opposite direction in winter.
7
Q
Morse Code
A
Alphabet and numbers used in signaling, represented by long and short signs.
8
Q
Mushrooms anchor
A
Umbrella shaped anchor invented in 1809 by Hemman of Chatham.
9
Q
Muster
A
To assemble at a specified place.
10
Q
Name of Ship
A
The name appearing in her certificate of registry, cut or punched in her bow and stern.
11
Q
Nautical
A
Pertaining to ships, seamen, or navigation.
12
Q
Nautical Almanac
A
Annual volume published by the Admiralty, giving astronomical information essential to navigation.
13
Q
Nautical Distance
A
Length of rhumb line intercepted by two positions.
14
Q
Nautical Mile
A
Length of arc of 1’ of meridian in latitude of position of measurement.
15
Q
Navigable
A
Capable of being safely navigated.
16
Q
Navigate
A
To direct and control a ship.
17
Q
Navigation
A
Art and Science of conducting a ship from one place to another.
18
Q
Navigator
A
A person skilled in the art and practice of navigation.
19
Q
Net Tonnage
A
Ship measurement derived from gross tonnage by deducting spaces allowed for crew and propelling power.
20
Q
North Pole
A
Northern extremity of Earth’s axis of rotation.
21
Q
North Star
A
Star Polaris, Ursa Minoris.
22
Q
Notary Public
A
Public official authorized to take statements on oath.
23
Q
Notice To Mariners
A
Periodical notices issued regarding changes in navigational aids.
24
Q
Oar
A
Rowing implement made of wood, consisting of a blade, a long shaft, and a loom.
25
Observation
Measurement of altitude and bearing of heavenly body.
26
Obstruction
Signifies something below chart datum that is a possible menace to navigation.
27
Officer of the Watch
Officer in charge of a watch for the time being.
28
Oiling
Taking in oil fuel and lubricating machineries.
29
Open Sea
The sea when observer is in such a position that there is an uninterrupted sea horizon.
30
Ordinary Seaman
Seaman aged 18 or more who has qualified to be rated able seaman.
31
Overhaul
To examine with a view to repairing or refitting.
32
Overload
To take excessive weight into a ship causing the load line to become submerged.
33
Overtaking
Coming to another vessel from any point abaft the other vessel's beam.
34
Panama Canal tonnage
Computation for tonnage of ships passing through Panama Canal.
35
Parallel Ruler
Rulers used for drawing and transferring courses and bearings on a chart.
36
Perils of the Sea
Denotes fortuitous accidents and casualties due to the sea.
37
Petty Officer
Rank intermediate between officer and rating, in charge of ratings.
38
Pilot
Qualified person authorized to pilot incoming and outgoing vessels.
39
Pilotage
Service duties, remuneration, or establishment of a pilot.
40
Pilotages
Fees and charges for pilotage service.
41
Pilot Boat
Small craft used for embarking or disembarking pilot in sheltered waters.
42
Pole Star
Polaris, navigational star nearest to North Pole of heavens.
43
Port
Harbor or haven in which shipping can lie in safety.
44
Port Clearance
Document certifying that vessel has liberty to leave port.
45
Pounding
The heavy falling of a ship into the sea after being lifted by wave action.
46
Pratique
Permission for a vessel to traffic or have communication with the shore.
47
Promenade Deck
One of the decks of a passenger steamer, usually open and free from obstruction.
48
Promissory Note
Written undertaking to pay a specified sum of money on or before a specified date.
49
Propeller
Instrument by which a vessel is propelled.
50
Propulsion
The driving forward of a vessel.
51
Protest
Statement under oath concerning an actual out of a marine adventure.
52
Quadrant
Quarter of a circle, a reflecting instrument that measured angles up to 90 degrees.
53
Quarantine
Segregation and restraint of a vessel coming from an infected port.
54
Quartermaster
Responsible rating who works under the officer of the watch.
55
Quay
Artificial erection protruding into the water for loading and discharge of cargo.
56
Racon
A radar beacon which transmits a signal on receiving a radar signal from a ship.
57
Radar
Electronic system for finding the bearing and distance of an object.
58
Radar Beacon
A radio transmitter transmitting signals at radar frequencies.
59
Radiation
Emission of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves.
60
Radio
General name for methods of signaling through electromagnetic waves.
61
Radio Beacon
A radio station sending out special signals for reception by a ship's radio direction finder.
62
Rating
Seaman other than an officer.
63
Ration
Stipulated amount of provision for a specified period.
64
Register Tonnage
Measurement of a ship based on internal capacity as entered in her Certificate of Registry.
65
Relative Humidity
Humidity expressed as percentage of the humidity of saturated air.
66
Repatriation of Seaman
The sending of a seaman to a proper return port in his own country.
67
Right of Way
Legal right of a vessel to maintain her course and speed.
68
Risk of Collision
Exists when two vessels are situated that a collision will be inevitable unless one vessel takes avoiding action.
69
Rolling
Thwartship swinging of a vessel when in a seaway.
70
Rule of the Road
Seaman's usual name for the 'Regulation for the Prevention of Collision at Sea.'
71
Running Fix
Determination of a ship's position by taking a line of bearing and transferring it to a new position.
72
Running Lights
Statutory navigational lights shown by a vessel when under way.
73
Sag
To droop in the middle or drift to leeward.
74
Sailing
Proceeding under sail or departing from a port.
75
Sailor's Home
Establishment for the reception and accommodation of seamen temporarily on leave.
76
Salinity
Saltiness; the amount of dissolved salt in water.
77
Saloon
Mess room for deck officers in a merchant ship.
78
Salvage
The saving of a vessel or cargo from extraordinary peril or danger.
79
Saturation
The carrying of the maximum amount of water vapor by the atmosphere.
80
Scrapper
Hole in waterways for allowing water on deck to flow outboard.
81
Scuttling
Deliberately making an opening in a vessel so that sea can enter.
82
Sea Battery
Assault upon a seaman by Master while at sea.
83
Sea Bed
Ground at the bottom of a sea or ocean.
84
Sea - Going
Applied to craft when differentiating between sea service and service in sheltered water.
85
Sea Gull
Name that includes all birds of the gull family that fly mostly above the sea.
86
Seamanship
The professional skill of a seaman in managing and handling a vessel.
87
Sea - Service
Service rendered as one of the crew in a sea-going ship.
88
Seasickness
Disorder of the nervous system caused by the ship's movement in a seaway.
89
Sea Suction
Underwater opening in a ship for pumping sea water.
90
Seaward
Toward the sea.
91
Seaway
Expanse of water with definite wave motion.
92
Seaworthy
Said of a vessel when fit to carry a proposed cargo or passenger.
93
Seaworthiness
A vessel's fitness to withstand the action of the sea, wind, and weather.
94
Set and Drift
Direction and distance that a current travels in a given time.
95
Sextant
Reflecting instrument used for measuring altitudes and other angles.
96
Shift
Change in the direction of wind.
97
Ship Chandler
Tradesman who deals in commodities required when fitting out a ship.
98
Shipowner
One who owns a ship or parts of a ship.
99
Shipper
One who puts goods into a ship for carriage.
100
Shipping Articles
Articles of agreement entered into by the Master and crew of a ship.
101
Ship's Papers
Books and documents required to be held by a ship.
102
Ship time
Time kept by a ship in a given longitude.
103
Shipwreck
Destruction or loss of a ship at sea.
104
Signalman
Trained man whose duty is concerned with making and receiving signals.
105
Slack water
State of a tidal stream when there is no lateral movement of the water.
106
Sling
A rope used to lift cargo.
107
Slop tank
Tank in oil tanker used to receive washings from other tanks.
108
Sludge
Collection of ice crystals that do not prevent navigation.
109
Solar
Pertaining to the sun.
110
Sun of a Gun
Seaman who was born aboard a warship.
111
SOS
Morse symbols of 3 shorts, 3 longs, 3 shorts, indicating distress.
112
Sounding Pipe
Tube leading from a deck to a compartment containing water.
113
Sounding Rod
Graduated rod used for measuring depth of liquid.
114
Speed Trial
The running of a vessel on a measured distance to ascertain her speed.
115
Spontaneous Combustion
Burning of a substance due to internal chemical change.
116
Spring
Rope used to move a ship ahead.
117
Squall
High winds that arrive and cease suddenly.
118
Stanchion
Vertical member carrying ridge rope, guard rails, or man ropes.
119
Standard Rudder
Pre-arranged angle of helm used by ships in formation.
120
Starboard
Direction equivalent to 'right hand' when facing forward.
121
Stay
A rope that steadies a mast in a fore and aft direction.
122
Steady
Order given to helmsman to keep the vessel on a desired course.
123
Steer
To govern the course of a vessel by controlling the helm or rudder.
124
Steering Gear
All connections and mechanisms between the steering wheel and the rudder.
125
Steering Oar
Oar used over the stern for steering a boat.
126
Steering Wheel
Wheel by which the rudder is controlled.
127
Stock
Cross piece just below the ring of an anchor.
128
Who is a Stoker?
A man who feeds and attends a boiler furnace.
129
What is Suction in nautical terms?
The drawing of a liquid by formation of a vacuum, technically applied to the effect of a large vessel passing a smaller vessel in confined waters.
130
What does Super refer to in marine terminology?
A colloquial name for a marine superintendent.
131
What is a Supercargo?
A man formerly carried in a ship to supervise the loading and discharge of cargo.
132
What is a Superstructure?
Permanent erections above the upper deck, used for load-line purposes.
133
What is a Surveyor?
One who examines and surveys for the purpose of ascertaining and reporting condition, state, quantity, quality, strength, etc.
134
What does 'Take a Turn' mean?
To take a temporary turn with a rope preparatory to taking in more of it.
135
What is a Thermograph?
A recording thermometer.
136
What is a Thimble?
A metal ring with a concave side into which a rope may be spliced.
137
What are Thirty-day Returns?
Proportional repayment of insurance premiums for each thirty days an insured vessel is laid up.
138
What does Thrashing refer to?
Said of a vessel under sail when she is sailing fast on a wind.
139
What is a Time Charter?
An agreement whereby a shipowner leases his vessel to a charterer for a specified period.
140
What is Tonnage?
Expressions of a ship measurement not necessarily based on weight, sometimes derived from cubic capacity.
141
What is a Topmast Stay?
Standing rigging that stays the topmast in a forward direction.
142
What are Topsides?
That part of a ship's side that is above the waterline.
143
What is a Total Eclipse?
An eclipse of the Sun or Moon in which no part of the disc is illuminated.
144
What does Total Loss mean in marine insurance?
Denotes that the subject of insurance has been completely lost or damaged beyond repair.
145
What does Touch and Go mean?
To touch the ground with a keel for a minute or so and then proceed again.
146
What is a Towage Clause?
A clause in a charter party giving a vessel permission to tow or be towed in stated circumstances.
147
What are Trade Winds?
More or less constant winds that blow from tropical high pressure areas towards the equatorial low pressure area.
148
What is a Training Ship?
Ships carrying instructors and fitted out for training purposes.
149
What does Trawling refer to?
Dragging a trawl net along the sea bed for the purpose of catching fish.
150
What is Trim in nautical terms?
The difference between the forward and after draughts of a floating vessel.
151
What is a Turn Buckle?
A stretching screw or bottle screw.
152
What is the Underwater Body of a vessel?
The volume of a vessel's hull that is immersed at a given draught.
153
Who is an Underwriter?
A person who insures a marine risk by stating the amount for which he is liable in the policy.
154
What is Universal Time?
An alternative time for Greenwich Mean Time.
155
What does Unseaworthy mean?
Said of a vessel when she is not fitted to perform her contract tasks.
156
What is a Ventilator?
Any arrangement that removes foul air from a space and supplies fresh air to it.
157
What is a Vent Pipe?
A pipe placed to facilitate the escape of air or vapor.
158
What does Ventilation refer to?
The provision of an air current or free passage of air.
159
What is Visibility?
The clearness of the atmosphere and the maximum range at which objects can be clearly sighted.
160
What is a Voyage?
A journey by sea from one place to another.
161
What is a Watch in nautical terms?
A period of time normally four hours, into which a nautical day is divided.
162
What is a Water Bailiff?
A name sometimes given to the Customs Officer at a port.
163
What is Water Ballast?
Water carried by an unloaded vessel to increase stability.
164
What does Waterborne mean?
Floating.
165
What are Watertight Doors?
Steel doors fitted to prevent water passing when sealed.
166
What are Waterways?
Channels along ship's sides on deck for carrying water to scuppers.
167
What does Weigh mean?
To lift.
168
What is a Wharf?
An erection in harbor for the berthing of ships for loading and discharging cargo.
169
What is Wharfage?
Money paid for the use of a wharf.
170
Who is a Wharfiner?
One who owns or manages a wharf.
171
What is a Wheel?
The steering wheel by which a rudder is moved.
172
What is a Wheel House?
An erection around a steering wheel for the protection of the helmsman.
173
What is a White Squall?
A sudden squall that causes white foam to form on the surface of the sea.
174
What is a Wildcat?
A cable holder or sprocket wheel.
175
What is a Willy Willy?
A local name for a severe cyclone off the coast of northwestern Australia.
176
What is a Winch?
A machine consisting of a horizontal barrel revolving on an axis.
177
What is a Windlass?
A machine working on a horizontal axis used for working cable.
178
What is a Wind Rose?
Intersecting lines on a weather chart showing wind directions and strengths.
179
What does Windward mean?
Towards the wind; the direction from which the wind blows.
180
What does Without Prejudice mean?
Words used when a statement is not to be taken as implying agreement or disagreement.
181
What are Working Days?
Days in which it is customary to work in a given port.
182
What is a Wreck?
A vessel so damaged as to be unseaworthy and incapable of being navigated.
183
What is Wreckage?
Fragments of a wrecked vessel or goods washed ashore from a wreck.
184
What is a Yacht?
A vessel built for pleasure cruising or racing.
185
What is Yard and Stay?
A method of rigging two derricks for loading or discharging overside.
