Maritime Dictionary

2H

Second Half

A/S

Alongside

AA

Always Afloat

AAAA

Always Accessible Always Afloat

AARA

Amsterdam-Antwerp-Rotterdam Area

Abaft

A relative term used to describe the location of one object in relation to another, in which the object described is farther aft than the other. Thus, the mainmast is abaft the foremast (in back of).

Abaft the beam

Said of the bearing of an object which bears between the beam and the stern (further back than the ship’s middle).

Abandon ship

Get away from the ship, as in an emergency.

Abeam

The bearing of an object 90 degrees from ahead (in a line with the middle of the ship).

Able bodied seaman

The next grade above the beginning grade of ordinary seaman in the deck crew.

Aboard

In the vessel (on the ship).

Aboveboard

Above decks; without concealment of deceit (out in the open).

Abreast

Abeam of (alongside of).

Abrid

A bushing plate around a hole in which a pintle works.

ABT

About

Access Holes

Holes cut in ship’s structure to permit entering or leaving various compartments.

Accommodation ladder

The portable steps from the gangway down to the waterline.

Aces

Hooks for the chains.

Acorn

A solid piece of metal shaped like an acorn, and used to finish off the top of an upright in a railing contructed of pipe.

ADCOM

Address Commission

Added mass

The effective increase in mass of a hull, due to the entrained water, when in motion.

Added weight method

One method used in the calculation of a ship’s damaged stability when it is partially fl ooded. It regards the water which has entered as an added weight, the basic hull envelope remaining. The other approach uses the concept of lost buoyancy.

Admiral

Comes from the Arabic “Emir” or “Amir” which means “First commander” and “Al-bahr which means “the sea”. Emir-al-barh evolved into Admiral.

Adrift

Loose from the moorings (not tied or secured).

AFFF

Aqueous Film Forming Foam

AFFREIGHTMENT

The hiring of a ship in whole or part

Afloat

Floating.

Aframax

A term used for the largest dry bulkcarriers.

AFSPS

Arrival First Sea Pilot Station (Norway)

Aft

At, or towards the stern of a vessel. (Opposite to forward.)

Aft peak tank

A tank or compartment located abaft the aftmost watertight transverse bulkhead above propeller(s) and rudder (often used for fresh water or sea water ballast).

After body

The section aft of amidships.

After deck

A term applied to a deck aft to the midship portion of a vessel.

After frammes

Radiating cant frames fastened to transom plates.

After peak

A compartment just forward of the stern post. It is generally almost entirely below the load water line.

After peak bulkhead

A term applied to the first transverse bulkhead forward of the stern post. This bulkhead forms the forward boundary of the after-peak tank and should be made watertight.

After perpendicular

The vertical line through the intersection of the load water line and the after edge of the stern post. On submarines or ships having a similar stern, it is a vertical line passing through the points where the design waterline intersects the stern of the ship>

After rake

That part of the stern which overhangs the keel.

Aftermost

Nearest the stern.

Aground

Resting on the bottom.

AGW

All Going Well

AHL

Australian Hold Ladders

Ahoy

A call used in hailing a vessel or boat (hey!).

AIO

Admiralty Information Overlay

Air casing

A ring-shaped plate coaming surrounding the stack and fitted at the upper deck, just below the umbrella. It protects the deck structure from heat and helps ventilate the fireroom.

Air draught

The vertical distance from the summer waterline to the highest point in the ship, usually the top of a mast.

Air Hammer

Hammer driven by compressed air for riveting, or chipping. Sometimes called an air gun or “gun”.

Air port

An opening in the side of a ship or a deck house, usually round in shape and fitted with a hinged frame in which a thick glass light is secured. The purpose of the air port is to provide light and ventilation to and vision from the interior.

Air tank

A metal air-tight tank built into a boat to insure flotation even when the boat is swamped.

Air-tight door

A door so constructed that, when closed, air cannot pass through. They are fitted in air locks.

ALARP

As Low As Reasonable Practicable

Alee

To the leeward side (away from the wind).

Alive

Alert (pep it up!).

All hands

The entire crew.

All standing

To bring to a sudden stop.

Alleyway

A vessel’s internal passageway or corridor.

Aloft

Above the upper deck (above).

Alongside

The position of a vessel when securely moored on a berth in port.

Altar

A step in a graving dock.

Amidship(s)

In the longitudinal, or fore-and-aft center of a ship. Halfway between stem and stern. The term is used to convey the idea of general locality but not that of definite extent.

Amidships

(1) Midway (midpoint) between port and starboard sides of a vessel. (2) The midway point between the forward and aft perpendiculars.

AMSA

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

AMVER

Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System

Anchor

A heavy steel device (of variable design) so shaped as to grip the sea bed to hold a vessel or offshore installation in a desired position.

anchor

Anchor bar

Wooden bar with an iron shod, wedge shaped end, used in prying the anchor or working the anchor or working the anchor chain. Also used to engage or disengage the wild-cat.

Anchor billboard

A structure on the deck of a vessel upon which the anchor is mounted when not in use.

Anchor billboard

Anchor cable

Chain or wire connecting a vessel to its anchor(s).

Anchor chain

Heavy, linked chain secured to an anchor for mooring or anchoring.

Anchor lights

The riding lights required to be carried by vessels at anchor.

Anchor stopper

A device to hold an anchor cable so as to prevent the anchor from running out or to relieve the strain at the inboard end.

Anchor stopper

Anchor watch

The detail on deck at night, when at anchor, to safeguard the vessel (not necessarily at the anchor; a general watch).

Anchorage

A place suitable for anchoring.

Anchor’s aweigh

Said of the anchor when just clear of the bottom (leaving or moving).

Angle

Same as angle bar

Angle bar

A bar of angle-shaped section used as a stiffener and on riveted ships ties floors to the shell.

Angle clip

A short piece of angle bar.

Angle collar

Angle bent to fit a pipe, column, tank or stack, intersecting or projecting through a bulkhead or deck for the purposes of making a watertight or oiltight joint.

Anneal

To heat a metal and to cool it in such a fashion as to toughen and soften it. Brass or copper is annealed by heating to a cherry red and dipping suddenly into water while hot. Iron or steel is slowly cooled from the heated condition to anneal.

Anode

Zinc or aluminium or some such alloy that is fixed to the hull of a vessel. They are “eaten” up by electrical currents moving from the vessel to the water. The anode is sacrificed to protect the metal hull of the vessel – without the anode, the hull plating would be disolved by electrolysis.

ANTHAM

Antwerp-Hamburg Range

Antifouling (paint)

A marine paint composition containing toxic ingredients preventing or retarding marine underwater growth on the hull of a vessel.

Aperture

The space provided between propeller and stern post for the propeller.

APHIS

Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service

API

American Petroeum Institute

Appendage(s)

Objects protruding from the underwater section of a hull; e.g., bilge keels, rudders, stabilising fins, shaft brackets, etc.

Appendages

Relatively small portions of a vessel projecting beyond its main outline, as shown by cross-sections and water-sections. The word applies to the following parts of the stern and stern post: the keel below its shell line, the rolling keel or fin, the rudder, rudder post, screw, bilge keel, struts, bossing and skeg.

APPS

Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships

Apron plate

A plate fitted in the continuation of the shell plating above the forecastle sheer strake at the stem. These plates are sometimes fitted one in each side of the stem, and serve as foundation for the bow mooring pipes.

APS

Arrival Pilot Station

APTF

Asia Pacific Terminal Forum

ARAG

Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp-Ghent Range

Arbor

The principal axis member or spindle of a machine by which a motion of revolution is transmitted.

Arch piece

The curved portion of the stern frame over the screw aperture, joining the propeller post and stern post.

ARPA

Automatic Radar Plotting Aid

Ashore

On the shore (on land).

ASI

Annual Safety Inspection

Assemble

To fit together small parts, in making a large section, or part.

Astern

The backward direction in the line of a vessel’s centreline.

ATDNSHINC

Any Time Day or Night Sundays and Holidays Included

Athwart

Same as a beam

Athwartship

Transverse or across a vessel from side to side.

Athwartships

Across the ship, at right angles to the centreline.

ATUTC

Actual Times Used to Count

Auxiliaries

Various winches, pumps motors, engines, etc., required on a ship, as distinguished from main propulsive machinery (boilers and engines on a steam installation).

Auxiliary foundations

Foundations for condensers, distillers, evaporator pumps or any of the auxiliary machinery in the engine or boiler rooms.

Auxiliary machinery

Machinery other than the ship’s main engines.

Avast

An order to stop or cease hauling (stop action at once).

Awash

Level with the water (water ready to, or slightly covering decks).

Awning

A canvas canopy secured over the ship’s deck as a protection from the weather (covering).

Aye, aye, sir

The reply to an officer’s order signifying that he is understood and will be obeyed (I understand).

Back bar

Used on the opposite side of a bosom bar.

Backhaul

To haul a shipment back over part of a route that it has already traveled; return movement of cargo, usually opposite from the direction of its primary cargo destination.

BAF

Bunker Adjustment Factor. A Fuel Surcharge expressed as a percentage added or subtracted from the freight amount reflecting the movement in the market place price for bunkers.

Bail

To throw water out of a boat; a yoke, as a ladder bail (rung).

Balanced frames

The midship frames that are of equal shap and square flanged. There are thirty or more on a cargo vessel, equally divided between starboard and port sides.

Balanced rudder

A rudder with its axis halfway between the forward and after edge.

Bale capacity

Capacity in hold to edge of frames and stiffeners; refl ects the stowage of bales or boxes.

Balk

(In cerpentry) a piece of timber from 4″ to 10″ square.

Ballast

Any weight carried solely for the purpose of making the vessel more seaworthy. Ballast may be either portable or fixed, depending upn the condition of the ship. Fixed or permanent ballast in the form of sand, concrete, scrap or pig iron is usually fitted to overcome an inherent defect in stability or trim due to faulty design or changed character of service. Potrable ballast, usually in the form of water pumped into or out of the bottom, peak, or wing ballast tanks, is utilized to overcome a temporary defect in stability or trim due to faulty loading, damage, etc.

Ballast

Ballast keel

A heavy keel fitted to vessels to lower the center of gravity and improve stability.

Ballast tanks

Double bottoms for carrying water ballast and capable of being flooded or pumped out at will.

Barbette

Cylindrical structure built up to armor plates extending from the protected deck of a war vessel to the lower side of the turret shelf plate. They form protective enclosures in which are located the turret stools, shell stowage flats and ammunition hoisting gear for the turrets.

BAREBOAT CHTR

Bareboat Charter Owners lease a specific ship and control its technical management and commercial operations only.

Barge

A craft of full body and heavy construction designed gor the carriage of cargo but having no machinery for self-propulsion.

Barnacle

Small marine growth which attaches itself to a vessel’s hull in large numbers, often greatly retarding her speed.

Base line

A horizontal fore and aft reference line for vertical measurements. This line is perpendicular to the vertical center line. A horizontal transverse reference line for vertical measurements. This is line is perpendicular to the vertical center line. A horizontal transverse reference line for vertical measuremnts. This line is perpendicular to both the vertical center line and fore-and-aft base line.

Baseline

Batten

A narrow strip of wood for fairing in lines. Also a stripof wood to fasten objects together. A strip of paulins in place. (Verb) To secure by means of battens, as to “batten down a hatch”.

Batten down

To make watertight. Said of hatches and cargo (tie up or secure).

Battens, cargo

A tern applied to the planks that are fitted to the inside of the frames in a hold to keep the cargo away from the shell plating, the strips of wood or steel used to prevent shifting of cargo.

BBB

Before Breaking Bulk

BDI

Both Dates Inclusive

BDN

Bunker Delivery Note

Beachcomber

A derelict seaman found unemployed on the waterfront, especially in a foreign country (seaman without a ship).

Beam

(1) The registered breadth of a vessel, measured at the outside of the hull amidships, or at its greatest breadth. (2) A transverse structural member supporting a deck and/or strengthening a hull.

Beam

Beam knees

Angular fittings which connect beams and frames together.

Beam line

The line showing the top of the frame line.

Beam plate angles

A beam made from a flat plate, with the flange bent at right angles by an angle-bending machine.

Beam wind

A wind at right angles to a vessel’s course (wind blowing at the ship’s side.)

Bear a hand

To assist or help.

Bear down

To approach (overtake or come up to).

Bearer

A term applied to foundations, particularly those having vertical web plates themselves are called bearers.