Created: October 1997

Last update: June 2009

PRACTICAL SHIPPING
VOCABULARY
Includes acronyms & names of organizations & non-
profit bodies.
(For the purpose of this list only all the classification societies will considered as non-
profit societies)

Letter Selection

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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NOTES
The alphabetical sorting is done on the name or acronym in the first column.
Figures are preceding letters. Other symbols and capitalization are ignored.

WARNINGS

Besides a succint or more developed explanation of items listed, some practical

comments have been added.
The choice of the terms listed is that they are in use on board commercial ships
and should be part of the general knowledge of deck or engine officers, among
many others.
Terms and acronyms are permanently changing, errors are often found even in
the most famous BA publications (ie: IBC Code). Therefore this list will be
constantly updated, time and resources available, and the source(s) of the
information will be mentioned when available.
Any corrections or suggestion for improvement are welcome.
Please Email them to lemschout@skynet.be

Alfa
 Back to letter selection

A A = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . - )

Burgee flag= White at hoist, blue at the fly.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "Undergoing speed trial" (Kerchove).

AA Always Afloat
Chartering
In some port the ship runs aground when approaching, or at berth. Usually linked to SB.

ABS American Bureau of Shipping

US Classification Society founded in 1862.
Email : abs-amer@eagle.org
Web site: www.eagle.org

ADN Accord du transport Dangereux par voie Navigable (European accord for
the transport of dangerous good by inland waterways)

ADNR Accord du transport Dangereux par voie Navigable pour Rhin (European
accord for the transport of dangerous good on inland waterways: Rhine)

ADR Accord du transport Dangereux par Route (European accord for the
transport of dangerous good by road)

Aframax Average Freight Rate Assessment

In the past the largest tankers, now crude and product tankers with a deadweight
between 45,000/70,000 and 80,000/100,000 tons.

Aldis lamp Aldis lamp

Lamp with focused beam used for signaling with the morse code and which can be seen
at a distance of up to 20 miles. It was connected to the ship emergency electrical system
in order to remain functioning when the main electrical power was down. Although its
use as a communication device became rare due to the VHF, it is still very usefull to
attract the attention of other ships at night.

ALRS Admiralty List of Radio Signals

British admiralty publications (8 volumes, some of them in double or triple books)
informing the navigators about all the radio stations and various kind of broacasted
informations such as time signals, weather & navigational warnings, positioning
systems, VTS procedures and many other. They are regularly updated through the
weekly published Notice to Mariners, but this work is time consuming and the actual
small staffs have hardly any time to do it. An affordable electronic publication with
online updating is badly needed.

AMMONIA Ammonia - anhydrous

See NH3
ANF Arrival Notification Form
A document which advises a consignee or a container operator that goods or containers
have arrived at the port of discharge (BIMCO)

API American Petroleum Institute

ARCS Admiralty Raster Chart Service

Electronic display of nautical charts, unfortunately badly inferior to a vector system.

ARPA Automated Radar Plotting Aid

System to assist the watchkeeper using the radar for collision prevention.

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials.

It is the world's largest source of voluntary consensus standards for material, products,
systems, and services. ASTM is a resource for sampling and testing methods, health and
safety aspects of materials, safe performance guidelines, effects of physical and
biological agents and chemicals. Much used in shipping also, mainly on chemical
tankers

ATDNSHINC Any Time Day or Night Sundays & Holidays INCluded

Chartering term.

AWIWL Always Within Institute Warranties Limits

For insurance purpose: the ship should sail only within sea areas in which she is always
insured. For instance the Bearing Sea is outside these limits, while the southern part of it
is almost always free of ice. Anyway the underwriter are often asking an extra premium
to enter it.

Bravo
Back to letter selection

B B = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - . . . )

Burgee flag= Red.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means " I am discharging / loading explosives or
flammable substances". Still widely used when bunkering.

Barrel Barrel
42 United States gallons(3.785lt) at 60 degrees fahrenheit (15.5)=159lt.

BB Ballast Bonus
Brokerage abbreviation. Special payment above the Chartering pricewhen the ship has
to sail a long way on ballast to reach the loading port.

BB Bare Boat Charter (Demise Charter)Method of chartering of the ship leaving

the charterer with most all the responsibilities of the owner, including the crewing and
management of the vessel. This type of chartering is often used to put the ship under a
FOC.

BC Code Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMO).

Not to be mistaken with the IBC Code!

. BCH Code Bulk Chemical Code (IMO/MPEC .20(22))

Construction rules for chemical tankers built after 12 April 1972 until 30 June 1982
afterwhich the IBC Code has to be considered.

BESMA Belgian ShipMaster's Association

Professional Association for shipmasters legally recognized by decision of the Belgian
Council of State of 29th November 1977. Main international objective: safety of
shipping & promotion of the profession. Practically BESMA was very active on Roro
safety leading the IFSMA working group on the issue. In 2003 the association stopped
its activities due to the reduced number of members, but in order to preserve the
reputation of the name, which was a symbol of seriousness as the association was
always free of commercial sponsoring, it was legally protected by a yearly donation for
the celebration of the ceremony at the monument to the fallen seamen during both
world-wars.

BIMCO the Baltic and International Maritime COuncil

Information and support service located in Copenhagen (Denmark) Founded in 1905, in
1995 it had 2650 members in 110 countries: shipowners, brokers, agents, P&I; clubs.

B/L Bill of Lading

Negociable documents certifying that the goods are shipped on board a vessel

BLEVE Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion

Safety.

BLK Bulk
Brokerage abbreviation, mostly referring to cargoes.

BLT Built
Brokerage abbreviation : the year in which the ship was built.
Some PSC are tougher with older ships, at times ship older than 15 or 20 years cannot
be accepted for chartering.

BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand

The amount of oxygen required during the decomposition of organic matter by aerobic
microbiological action. A water body polluted by biologically degradable organic
matter, loses some or all of its dissolved oxygen by the respiratory oxygen demand of
the microorganisms consuming the organic matter. BOD5 (i.e. 5 days of BOD at 20.C)
is a common measure of biodegradable pollution in water.

BV Bureau Veritas
Classification Society located in Paris
BUTANE Butane
See C4H10

BWT Bleeding Wing Tanks.

In order to load the ship to full capacity with grain, the top ballast tanks are sometimes
used as cargo spaces. Bleeding holes, normally closed by a flange when the tank is
ballasted, allow the cargo to fall in the hold underneath, filling all the space available.
This method of loading however involved a lot of extra preparation work, and a lot of
cleaning work after the discharge.

Charlie
Back to letter selection

C C = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - . - . )

Flag= Horizontally divided in 5 stripes. Blue above and under, red in the middle
between two white ones.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "YES- Affirmative".

CAF Cost of Averting a Fatality.

About the same as CSL, how much money can be spend to save a human being?

CAP Condition Assessment Program

Structural assessment program devised by the classification societies ABS, LR, DNV.

CBT (MARPOL) Clean Ballast Tank

Tank exclusively dedicated to clean ballast

C3H8 Propane
Petroleum gas carried on LPG tankers.
All degree centigrades: flash point=-105, boiling point=-43, auto-ignition=460.
Molecular weight=44. Flammable range= 2-11pc.

C4H10 Butane
Petroleum gas carried on LPG tankers.
All degree centigrades: flash point=-60, boiling point=-0.5, auto-ignition=410.
Molecular weight=58. Flammable range= 1-9pc.

CCE Credit Controlling Entity

(Bank, Insurance or any other)

CCTV Close Circuit Tele Video

Method of inspecting the underwater part of the ship while recording a Video at the
same time.
CD Chart Datum
Plane of reference to which all depths and heights are referred. Usually it is the MLW,
except in France and Spain where it is the Lowest Low Water possible. (Kerchove)

CDI Chemical Distribution Institute

Inspection scheme of tankers following the rules of the Council of Europe Federation of
Chemical Industries.

CEU Car Equivalent Unit

To assess the carrying capacity of Car carriers.

CFC Chlorofluorocarbons

A family of inert, nontoxic, and easily liquefied chemicals used in refrigeration, air
conditioning, packaging, insulation, or as solvents and aerosol propellants. Because
CFCs are not destroyed in the lower atmosphere, they drift into the upper atmosphere
where their chlorine components destroy ozone. The gas used in most ship refrigerating
plant, including the containers, was the freon R22 also a CFC , and had thus to be
replaced.

CFR Code of Federal Rules (US)

US laws, many of them of the utmost importance for the shipmaster. Quite often all the
volumes related to shipping can be found on board.The CFR is divided into titles. The
following titles may be useful when following this guideline: Title 40- Contains
Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Title 49- Contains Department of
Transportation (DOT) regulations. Changes to the regulations are published in the
Federal Register. These publications can be ordered through the US Government
Printing Office.

CH4 Methane
Natural gas carried in great quantities by LNG tankers at his boiling temperature (-161).

CIF Cost Insurance & Freight

Selling terms of shipped goods.
The seller fix the carriage contract and provide the buyer with a B/L, pays the shipment
and the insurance until the port of destination.

Collision Bulkhead Collision Bulkhead

Strong bulkhead usually located 5% of ship's lenght astern of the stem. It is only pierced
by piping which are most of the time closed by a valve. Designed to prevent a ship from
flooding after an head on collision. Unfortunately side damage due to collision also
occurs and they can bring a dramatic quick foundering of the vessel. (MINERAL
DAMPIER after being rammed by the HANJIN MADRAS).

COFR Certificate Of Financial Responsibility (USA)

Documents checked and approved by the USCG certifying that any vessel calling in the
USA has a valid P&I; coverage in case of pollution.
COLREG Collision Regulations
International Convention on Collision Regulations (IMO)

Conbulk Container/Bulkcarrier
Vessel able to carry either containers or dry bulk cargoes.

Conchoidal fracture Conchoidal fracture

Rupture of metal in which the fractured surface has a shell-like appearance.

COP Custom Of the Port

Chartering term. Operations which take the peculiarities of the port/country into
account.

COW Crude Oil Washing

Washing of the oil tank with jets of the same oil. This to replace washing with water
which implies a risk of explosion and the problem of the disposal of cleaning water.

C/P Charter Party

Hire contract of the vessel. It can be for a voyage or a fixed period.

Critical speed Critical Speed

Revolution of Propeller per Minute (RPM) which is close to vibration rate of the engine.
The speed corresponding to these RPM cannot be maintained at all.

CSL Cost of Saving one Life

Parameter used in some FSA to see if is worth spending money on safety!

CSR Continuous Synopsys Record

Compulsory list drafted together with the ISPS code mentioning the ownership and
management of the vessels and any change to these.

CTL Constructive Total Loss

After an incident such as collision, grounding, fire, if it is too expensive to repair the
ship cannot, the insurance consider it is lost. The vessel is abandoned or sold as scrap.

Delta
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D D = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - .. )

Flag= Blue central horizontal stripe with smaller yellow strip above and under.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "I am maneuvering with difficulty. (Similar
fog signal.)
DD Dry Dock
Every two or three years, the ship has to be put in a dry dock in order to check all the
submerged parts, repaint them, eventually remove the propeller and the tailshaft.

DE IMO sub-committee on ship Design and Equipment

DEMDES Demurrage/Despatch money

Brokerage abbreviation of chartering terms.
Amount to be paid if the ship is loading/discharging slower/faster than foreseen.
Usually the Despatch money, which is paid by the shipowner, is half the amount of the
Demurrage, which is paid by the Charterer.

DNV Det Norkse Veritas classification AS

Norwegian Classification Society

DO Diesel Oil.
Mainly used to run the auxiliary engines/alternator which provide the electrical power.
On many large ships it used in the main engine during the maneuvers (berthing/sailing).
When the main engine is stopped for a long time it is better, on some ships imperative,
to have DO in all the system.

Discharge Discharge(US/OPA 90)

Any emission (other than natural seepage), intentional or unintentional, and includes,
but is not limited to, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or
dumping.

DOC Document of Compliance

(ISM Code) Certificate provided by the Administration stating that the
Owner/Management complies with the ISM Code

DOP
DOSP Dropping Outward (Sea) Pilot (time)
When the vessel leaves the last discharge port. It is often the time used as the end of a
Voyage charter.

DOUGHNUT HOLES Doughnut Holes

In Alaska these are water areas inside the chain of outer islands which are classiffied as
"International waters" because they are further than 3 miles or 12 miles from any shore
line, but they are entirely surrounded US territorial waters. (Lloyd's list A-52) Some ships
are taking advantage of this legal trick to get rid of wastes which have otherwise to be
dumped at sea at the same distance from shore. For many purposes the US uses the 3
miles limit for its territorial waters, which makes that these Doughnut Holes can also be
found on the Gulf of Mexico coast.

DP Designated Person.
For the ISM Code, any member of the Owner's staff who is aware of the problem of the
vessels, and who has a direct access to the top management.
DSC Digital Selective Calling
GMDSS System: MF/HF/VHF facility which allows for automatic access to coast
stations equipped with the system. A short list to select the quickly the nature of distress
is available, unfortunately the "pirate attack" had been forgotten, while it is one which
need a a maximum of automation, and discretion.

DSS Double Side Skin

Double hull of tankers and bulkcarriers. Although the US and the EU could request the
use of double hulls on tankers after a few bad pollution incidents (Exxon Valdez, Erika,
Prestige), the IMO failed to achieve the same for the bulkers to make these ships safer
for seafarers. After a move in this direction at the MSC 76, after the result of a FSA
paid by the Greek shipping interests, the recommendations of the MSC 76 were rejected
at the MSC 78.

DWT or DWCC DeadWeight Cargo Capacity

Weights of the cargo which can be lifted, usually expresses in metric or long tons. Not
to be confused with the deadweight itself which includes many other weights: bunkers,
fresh water, provisions, stores, ballast, constant. They can add up to a few thousands
tons on a Panamax bulker.

Echo
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E E = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . )

Flag= Blue over red.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "I am altering my course to starboard.

ECDIS Electronic Chart Display and Information System

Based on vectorial representation of features, this system is the best available as it can
be coupled to many other devices. Unfortunately since the availability of GPS
positioning many hydrographic information have be found to be out of position by
several miles at times (ie : Providence channel in the Bahamas), therefore many charts
must be redrawn. It is only with these charts that electronic facilities, such as automatic
alarms for shallow water, can be connected.

ECOSOC ECOnomic & SOcial Counsil of the United Nations

UN agency parenting the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), the ICAO
(International Civil Aviation Organisation, and the IMO.

EMS Environmental Management System

ISO Standard

EmS Emergency Schedule

IMO/IMDG Code: Emergency Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods.
E&OC Errors & Omissions Excepted (Such as this list)

EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

Small buoyant transmitter which should always remain afloat if the ship sinks, and send
automatically a distress message via satellites.

EQUASIS EQUASIS
European ship and operator information system which becomes operational in May
2000. Based on a French system, it will be an important tool for anybody with an
interest in or responsibility for maritime safety, to select ships of high quality, and also
an useful tool for PSC inspectors. (Commission of the European Communities). It will
be really efficient when seafarers will be able to rely on it to have a good idea of the
effective seaworthiness of the vessel to which they are sent by crewing agencies.

ETA Estimated Time of Arrival

Some agents assume it is the Expected Time of Arrival, or even the Exact Time of
Arrival, so they are upset when the ship cannot keep the schedule. At times they require
the "Earliest ETA", which is more reasonable. This time must be transmitted quite often
to other services also: pilotage, shipowner, authorities, VTS...

ETC Estimated Time of Completion

Estimated time of completion of the cargo operations. Normally the agent should ask
the captain how long he requires to make the ship seaworthy after the ETC. Very few
agents adhere to this, order the pilot and the tugs for the ETC, and have to pay huge
waiting times to these services if the ship needs more time to be ready.

ETD Estimated Time of Departure

Estimated time of departure of the vessel. Does not necessarily coincide with the time of
completion for the reasons evoked here above, or because the ship has to wait for
another reason: tide, daylight,...

ETR Estimated Time of Readiness

Time at which the ship will be ready to load, for instance when the crew has to clean the
holds first.

Fox trot
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F F = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . . - . )

Flag= Red diamond on white background.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "I am disabled. Communicate with me." (
Kerchove)

FCC First Class Charterers

F1B F1B Radio transmission designator.
Telegraphy using frequency modulation = Narrow-Band Direct-Printing (Telex)(ALRS)

F1D F1D Radio transmission designator.

Data transmission using frequency modulation, with a single channel containing
quantized or digital information without the use of a modulating subcarrier. (ALRS)

F2B F2B Radio transmission designator.

Telegraphy using using frequency modulation, with a single channel containing
quantized or digital information with the use of a modulating sub-carrier, for automatic
reception. (ALRS)

F2C F2C Radio transmission designator.

Facsimile transmission using frequency modulation, with a single channel containing
quantized or digital information with the use of a modulating sub-carrier. (ALRS)

F2D F2D Radio transmission designator.

Data transmission using frequency modulation, with a single channel containing
quantized or digital information with the use of a modulating sub-carrier. (ALRS)

F3C F3C Radio transmission designator.

Facsimile transmission using frequency modulation, with a single channel containing
analogue information.(ALRS)

F3E F3E Radio transmission designator.

Telephony using frequency modulation.(ALRS)

FC&S; Free of Capture and Seizure

Insurance term. Used until 1982 in all marine insurance contracts to refer to the war
exclusion clause. Discontinued in the UK cargo insurance market in 1982 and in the
hull insurance market in 1983 (BIMCO).

FIO Free In and Out

Trade term. The seller of the goods pays their shipment and provide all the
documentation at the loading port. The buyer fixes the freight andthe insurance.

FLG FLaG
Broker abbreviation indicating the country in which the vessel is registered. See also
FOC.

FOC Flag Of Convenience

Country of registry representing the legal system under which the ship is managed, but
not the nationality of the owner, management, crew... Some FOC are tiny countries with
a few thousands inhabitants (St.Vincent & Grenadines, Cayman Islands, Nauru), others
are landlocked (Luxembourg), and do not have a real maritime administration. They are
nearly always delegating their obligations to other services: Classes, agencies...

FO Fuel OilFuel mainly used for propulsion, but also with some auxiliary
engines.(IFO= Intermediary FO, HFO= Heavy FO)
FPSO Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel
Large tanker, often without propulsion of her own, staying in a fixed position to process
and store oil awaiting to be loaded on another vessel. In July 1999 the largest one was
the 'Girassol built by Hyundai for the service of ELF in Angola from 2001. She has a
storage capacity of 2m barrels and a process capacity of 200,000 barrels a day.'

FSA Formal Safety Assessment

Study of risks which should improve the design of ships, and also their actual
maintenance. Although the FSA's appear to be impartial, in many case their conclusions
are biased toward the wishes of the organisation ordering and paying for them.

FSW Frisian Shipyard Welgelegen

Netherlands

FW Fresh Water Can designate either:

1) Fresh water used by the ship for drinking, cooling system of various engine, showers,
toilet.... Previously the amount was the biggest on departure in order to reach safely the
port of destination. Nowadays most ships produce their own fresh water in an
"evaporator" fed with sea water and using the heat of the engine. Often 25 tons a day is
made, some 10 tons are used, so that 15 tons can be added to the stock with the result
that the ship arrives with full tanks. This added weight is generally compensated by the
consumption of FO and DO.
2)Fresh Water as opposed to Sea Water regarding the density of the water supporting
the ship. Normally the density of SW is 1.000, but in places like the Panama canal it can
be 0.985 because the canal waters are warmer.

FXX FXX Radio transmission designator.

Frequency modulation of main carrier other than F1B, F3E and frequency modulation
facsimile.(ALRS)

Golf
Back to letter selection

G G = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - - . )

Flag= Six yellow and blue vertical bars.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "I require a pilot." . Still widely used.

G1D G1D Radio transmission designator

Phase modulation with a single channel containing quantized or digital information
without the use of a modulating sub-carrier for data transmission. (ALRS)

G2B G2B Radio transmission designator

Phase modulation (automatic reception). A single channel containing quantized or
digital information with the use of a modulating sub-carrier. (ALRS)
GA General Average.
The cost incurred to bring the ship out of a dangerous position must be shared by all the
parties interested in the rescue, which means the cargo owners. These are then required
to contribute to a General Average. This is quite easy with a bulker having one parcel of
cargo, but a nightmare with a container vessel where thousands of parcels with different
B/L are stowed in the containers.

GESAMP joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine

environmental Protection.

GCN GENCON
Type of Charter Party

GCN Gross CommissioN

Broker abbreviation regarding their commission. (GCN 3.75%)

GL Germanischer Lloyd
German Classification Society

GLONASS GLobal NAvigation Satelitte System

GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.

Mainly a radio communication system which will take advantage of latest technology to
enhance safety and allow the ships to sail without radio officer. Implemented since
1992, it should be fully operational by 1 February 1999. In the meantime it provoked
thousands of false alarms, bulkers sank without any warning of their EPIRB

GMT Greenwich Mean Time

Now mostly replaced by UTC or Z.

GPS Global Positioning System

US sattelite based system which gives an accuracy of about 0.2 miles as the signal is
variably distorted for military and security purposes. Local correction are often provided
through a DGPS system.

GRT Gross Register Tonnage

Measurement of commercial vessel based on the total volume occupied by enclosed
spaces. One actual ton of measurement is the equivalent of 2.83 cubic meters.

Hotel
Back to letter selection
H H = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . . . . )
Flag= Vertically divided in two : white at the hoist, red at the fly.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "I have a pilot on board." . Still widely used.

HAZMAT Hazardous Material

H2A H2A Radio transmission designator

Telegraphy by the on-off keying of a tone modulated carrier, Morse code: single-
sideband, full carrier. (ALRS)

H2B H2B Radio transmission designator

Selective calling signal using a single frequency code, single-sideband, full carrier.
(ALRS)

H3E H3E Radio transmission designator

Telephony using amplitude modulation: single-sideband, full carrier. (ALRS)

H9W H9W Radio transmission designator

Composite emission: single-sideband, full carrier; composite system with one or more
channels containing quantized or digital information together with one or more channels
containing analogue information (eg: combination of telegraphy and telephony) (ALRS)

HBL Hydrostatic Balanced Loading

Method of loading large oil tankers which allows to extends the lives of tankers from 25
to 30 years with regard to MARPOL phase-out provision.

HF High Frequency
(3-30 Mhz)

HHP High Holding Power

Anchors type. (NI)

HMM Hyundai Merchant Marine

Korean shippig company

hPa hectoPascal
Unit of pressure used in weather reports and forecasts. Is equivalent to and replace the
millibar.

HRA Human Reliability Analysis

Used in safety studies.

HSC High Speed Craft

Mostly ferries, catamaran, hovercrafts...

HTC Highly Toxic Chemical (poison)

A chemical falling within any of the following categories:
 1. A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of 50 milligrams or less per
kilogram of body weight when administered orally to albino rats weighing
between 200 and 300 grams each.
2. A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of 200 milligrams or less per
kilogram of body weight when administered by continuous contact for 24 hours
(or less, if death occurs within 24 hours) with the bare skin of albino rabbits
weighing between 2 and 3 kilograms each.
3. A chemical that has a median lethal concentration (LC50) of gas or vapor in air
of 200 parts per million (ppm) or less by volume, or 2 milligrams per liter or less
of mist, fume, or dust, when administered by continuous inhalation for 1 hour
(or less, if death occurs within 1 hour) to albino rats weighing between 200 and
300 grams each, provided such concentration or condition, or both, are likely to
be encountered by man when the chemical is used in any reasonably foreseeable
manner.
4. A chemical that is a liquid having a saturated vapor concentration (ppm) at 20C
equal to or greater than ten times it LC50 (vapor) value (ppm), if the LC50 value
1000 parts per million (ppm) or less when administered by continuous inhalation
for 1 hour) to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each, provided
such concentration, or condition, or both, are likely to be encountered by man
when the chemical is used in any reasonably foreseeable manner.

India
Back to letter selection

I I = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . . )

Flag= Black disk on yellow ground.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "I am altering my course to port." (Kerchove)

IACS International Association of Classification Societies

Grouping of the main classification societies (about 10 in 1997) in order to raise the
standards.

IADC International Association of Drilling Contractors

IBC Code International Bulk Chemical Code

Code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk
as adopted by IMO/MEPC.19(22) for ships built after 1 July 1986. (Often wrongly
defined in BA publications and charts as International Bulk Carrier code)

ICAS52 International Convention on the Arrest of Seagoing Ships1952 Allows

the creditors of shipping debts to present his claim in any country signatory of the
convention, and arrest the vessel if needed

ICC International Chamber of Commerce

ICCL International Council of Cruise Lines

ICS International Chamber of Shipping

IFSMA International Federation of Ship Master's Association

Organization grouping all the national Master's association formed in 1974. Established
in London.
Over 8.000 shipmaster's from more than 40 countries are affiliated to IFSMA.
Was granted Consultative status at IMO in 1975.
Email : HQ@isfma.org
Web site: www.ifsma.org

IG Inert Gas
Non reactive gas (Nitrogen, CO2) used to fill the tanks to prevent an accidental fire or
explosion.

IGC Code International Gas carrier Code

Code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquified gases in bulk.

IHO International Hydrographic Organization

ILDD In Lieu of Dry Dock

Class survey, mostly underwater, which allows the shipowner to postpone a dry dock.

ILF International Lifeboat Federation

ILO International Labour Organization

IMDG Code International Maritime Dangerous Goods code

One of the most important realization of the IMO. The code define most dangerous
goods, provides directive for their carriage and segregation.

IMLPA International Maritime Lecturers Association

IMO International Maritime Organization

United Nation agency created the 6 March 1948, located in London and taking care of
all shipping matters.

IMPA International Maritime Pilot's Association

Located in Belgium, but mostly managed from the Netherlands.

INF Code International Code for the Stafe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated
Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes on board Ships.

INMARSAT INternational Maritime SATelitte organization

IN PERSONAM IN PERSONAM
Legal action against a person.

IN REM IN REM
Legal action against an object or the owner of it (ie: a ship).

INTERCARGO INTERnational association of dry CARGO shipowners

INTERTANKO INTERnational association of independent TANKer Owners

IOR Indian Ocean Region (INMARSAT)

IOPP International Oil Pollution Certificate

ISF International Shipping Federation Ltd

ISM Code International Safety Management Code 1994

IMO regulation aimed at improving the management of vessels regarding their safety
and to lessen the risk of pollution. Unfortunately the aim of the regulation had mainly
been diverted from its initial purpose to become a clerical business opportunity of its
own.

ISPS International Ship & Port Security

Code quickly drafted and implemented by the IMO in the wake of the terrorist attack of
9 September 2001.

ITU International Telecomunication Union

ITZ Inshore Traffic Zone

Navigational lane which lies between a TSS and the coast. Can only be used by ships
calling a port or place inside the zone.

Juliet
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J J = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . - - - )

Flag= Horizontally divided in three with white in the middle and blue up and down.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "I am going to send a semaphore signal."
(Kerchove)

J2B J2B Radio transmission designator

Telegraphy (automatic reception of), single-sideband (suppressed carrier) with a single
channel containing quantized or digital information with the use of a modulating sub-
carrier. (ALRS)
J2DEN J2DEN Radio transmission designator
Single-sideband suppressed carrier with a single channel containing quantized or digital
information with the use of a modulating sub-carrier. Data transmission with a multi-
condition code in which each condition represents a signal element (of one or more bits)
and no mutliplexing. (ALRS)

J3E J3E Radio transmission designator

Telephony using amplitude modualtion; single-sideband, suppressed carrier. (ALRS)

Jacob's ladder Jacob's ladder.

Rope ladder with wooden round rungs light enough to be easily portable. It cannot be
used as pilot ladder but is regularly used by the crew to check the draft or reach work
staging.

Kilo
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K K = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - . - )

Flag= Vertically divided with yellow at the hoist, blue at the fly.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "Stop your vessel immediately." (Kerchove)

KN Knots.
The speed of the ship in nautical miles per hour (1.852 km/h or 101.3ft/minute) .

Lima
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L L = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . - . . )

Flag= Two yellow and two black squares.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "Stop, I have something important to
communicate." (Kerchove)

LASA Latin America Shipowners' Association

LAYCAN LAYdays / CANcelling (dates)

Range of dates within the hire contract must start.

LAYDAYS LAY DAYS

Time allowed to load/discharge the ship. The method of calculation of the days is fixed
by the charter party.
LBP Length Between Perpandiculars
Length of the ship measured between two vertical lines corresponding more or less to
the location where the loaded ship cross the water line. Aft it is also positioned in
function of the rudder shaft. The drafts marks are preferably placed in way of these
perpandiculars. This is the length used for most calculations. The frames are usually
numbered from the aft perpandiculars.

LC50 Lethal Concentration 50

A concentration of a substance that produces death in 50% of a population of
experimental animals after exposure for a period of time which is usually specified (e.g.
'96 hour LC50'). This term is used when the substance exists in the organism's ambient
environment at the specified concentration (for example, fish in water in which the
substance is present at the specified concentration).

LD50 Lethal Dose 50

A dose of a substance that produces death in 50% of a population of experimental
animals. It is usually expressed as milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight.
This term is used when the exposure pathway is by absorption of the specified dose.

L/D Load / Discharge

Borkers term : average load/discharge rate per day, in tons. (L/D 6000/3000). Usually
followed by more details about the method of counting the days.

LOA Length Over All

Total length of the ship between the aftermost and the foremost protruding parts.

LOF Lloyd's Open Form

Salvage contract type. Revised regularly in order to reward the work of tug involved
with the salvage of laden tankers.

LOI Letter Of Indemnity

In the past it was a letter allowing a Clean Bill of Lading to be signed even if the goods
shipped were known to have a default or shortage, the Letter offering a guarantee that it
was recognized by the shipper. But lately it is also a Letter presented by the receiver of
the cargo for the delivery of the cargo without presenting an original Bill of Lading.
This practice should only be valid if the C/P mentions this possibility.

LNG Liquid Natural Gases

Gases directly produced by drilling. Usually carried in dedicated low pressure LNG
tankers which are using the evaporation of the gas to keep it cool.

LPG Liquid Petroleum Gases

Gases produced by the treatment of crude oil, usually carried in semi-pressurized (5/7
bars) and fully pressurized (18 bars) semi or fully refrigerated LPG tankers.

LR Lloyd's Register
British Classification Society

LRQA Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance

LT Long Tons
Mostly used in the USA? Its value is 1.01605 Metric Tons or 1016.05 kilograms.

Mike
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M M = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - - )

Flag= Diagonal white cross on blue background.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "I have a doctor on board." (Kerchove)

MAIB Marine Accident Investigation Branch

United Kingdom Government's organisation for investigating accidents to or on UK
ships and to or on other ships in UK territorial waters.

MAC Value Maximum Acceptable Concentration value The MAC value is the
upper limit of concentration of a substance in air, which according to present
knowledge, does not provoke illness in the large majority of healthy persons exposed to
it, even if the exposure is for relatively long periods of 8 hours per day and 40 hours per
week. The substance can be in the form of a gas, a vapour or a powder (mg/M3).

MARPOL MARine POLlution

Usually known as MARPOL 73/78, this is a set of regulation aimed at preventing
pollution by oil, chemicals, noxious substances, garbage and sewage water.

MARS Marine Accident Reporting Scheme

Created by the Nautical Institute NI, the report are anonymous and do not provide any
name of persons, ships or companies. The are published monthly in the NI publication
'Seaways'.
The reports can be Emailed to mars@nautinst.org or faxed to Captain R.Beedel FNI 17
Estuary Drive Felixstowe Suffolk IP11 9TL UK.

MEPC Maritime Environment Protection Committee

IMO branch dealing, among other, with the construction of tankers. The number of the
meeting is often added to the acronym so that in the Autumn 2000 the next meeting will
be MEPC46.

Methane METHANE
See CH4

MOLOO More Or Less Owner Option

Chartering term: range of weights of the goods to be shipped. Often expressed in
percentage. MOLOO 50000 10% = 45000 to 55000 tons.
MMSI Martime Mobile Selective-call Identity code
New compulsory code to identify vessels with the GMDSS/DSC system.

MSC Marine Safety Committee (IMO)

MSD Material Safety Data sheets

Detailed Information about the dangerous products carried.

MSCN Martime Simulation Center Netherlands

Located at Wageningen it was also known under that place name.

MSD Marine Sanitation Device

Any equipment installed on board a vessel to receive, retain, treat, or discharge sewage
and any process to treat such sewage.

mSv milliSievert
The measure of potential biological damage to specific body organs or tissues caused by
exposure to and subsequent absorption of radiation is expressed in a unit of measure
known as a rem. One rem of any type of radiation has the same total damaging effect.
Because a rem represents a fairly large dose equivalent, dose equivalents are expressed
as fractions of a rem--millirem (mrem), which is 1/1000 of a rem. In the international
system of units, 1 sievert (Sv) equals 100 rem; 1 millisievert (mSv) equals 100 mrem.
Specific types of dose equivalents are defined as follows.
- committed dose equivalent--the total dose equivalent to an organ during the 50year
period following intake.
- effective dose equivalent (EDE)--the weighted sum of dose equivalents to a specified
list of organs. The organs and weighting factors are selected on the basis of risk to the
entire body.
"EDE" is the unit used in the Annual Site Environmental Report. committed effective
dose equivalent: the total effective dose to specified organs in the human body during
the 50-year period following intake.
collective effective dose equivalent : the sum of effective dose equivalents of all
members of a given population.

MT, MTNS Metric Tons

Unit of weight : metric tons of 1000 kilograms.

November
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N N = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - . )

Flag= Four horizontal rows of alterned blue and white squares.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "NO-Negative."
NASF Non Accidental Structural Failures.
Term used in the analysis of data about structural failures, meaning the failures was
provoked by weaknesses in the structure rather than abnormal stresses caused by an
accidents such as collision, grounding... quote from IMO documentation for
MEPC58(17):" Non-accidental structural failure events consist of scenarios where the
hull presents cracks and fractures, affecting ships seaworthiness. Damage to a vessel
rudder, or rudder-adjoining parts are considered as structural damage. Damages to
ships hull-fitting equipments, like vessel propeller, propeller portion or propeller
adjoining parts are not included in the particular categorisation."unquote.

Natural resources Natural resources (US/OPA 90)

Includes land, fish, wildlife, biota, air, water, ground water, drinking water supplies, and
other such resources belonging to, managed by, held in trust by, appertaining to, or
otherwise controlled by the United States (including the resources of the exclusive
economic zone), any State or local government or Indian tribe, or any foreign
government. The ship's staff should better be aware of them.

NCNP No Cure No Pay

Salvage contract term. See also LOF.

NH3 AMMONIA (Anhydrous)

Gas usually carried by LPG tankers at about -50 deg.c. Lighter than air, it is easily
escaping from any openning and be highly dangerous to inhale in great quantity.
Reacting violently with water.
All degrees centigrade: Boiling point: -33, Melting point:-78, Auto-ignition:630.
Molecular weight: 17, Flammable range: 15-26pc.

NI Nautical Institute
Organization founded in 1971 located in London which promotes high professional
standards among deck officers.
Email : sec@nautinst.org
Web site: www.nautinst.org

NK Nippon Kaiji kyokai

Japanese Classification Society

NOR Notice Of Readiness

Date and time when the ship is ready to load. For instance on arrival at the berth or at
anchor when the holds are ready. Then the time needed to proceed to the berth is
deducted.

NRDA Natural Resources Damage Assessment (USA)

NRT (NT) Net Register Tons

Theoretically the cargo capacity of the ship expressed in Register tons, seldom used as it
is smaller, it brings less revenue when used to tax the vessels.
 NTSB National Transportation Safety Board (US).
US agency investigating accidents in the transport industries. Most likely the best in the
world.

Oscar
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O O = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - - - )

Flag= Halved diagonally in red and yellow.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "Man overboard."

OBO Ore Bulk Oil

Large tanker able to carry dry bulk cargoes

OCC Operations Control Centre (INMARSAT)

OCIMF Oil Companies International Maritime Forum

Publishes also a check list of several thousands items to assist the surveyors in vetting
inspections. As no check list can follow the rapid development of technology, the
descriptions of some items is sometimes obsolete or even against all common sense. But
as vetting inspections are of the utmost importance to have a vessel chartered, the
opinions of the OCIMF inspectors can have more weight that those of the inspectors in
charge of compliance with IMO rules.

OPA 90 Oil Pollution Act 1990 (US Public law 101-380 18 August 1990).
US legislation dealing with Oil Pollution and drafted after the grounding of the EXXON
VALDEZ . The main point are the fitting of a double hull on tanker and illimited
responsiblity fro the shipowner if a pollution is not reported.

OPRC Oil pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation.

Owner Shipowner
The formal owner of a ship. Although more and more he does not invest much money
himself, but get a loan from financial institutions who trust his management. On some
small ships the owner can be the captain. This was regularly the case in Greece, but
recently the Dutch reverted to this system on some coasters as this is the best way to
have a master highly motivated to defend the interests of the ship.

Oxidizing Agent Oxidizing Agent IMDG Code 5.1

A chemical or substance that brings about an oxidation reaction. The agent may (1)
provide the oxygen to the substance being oxidized (in which case the agent has to be
oxygen or contain oxygen), or (2) receive electrons being transferred from the substance
undergoing oxidation. (Chlorine is a good oxidizing agent for electron-transfer
purposes, even though it contains no oxygen).
Papa
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P P = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . - - . )

Flag= White square on a blue background.
Called "Blue Peter" as when hoisted singly from a ship it means "The ship is going to
sail.

PAX Passengers
Unit of measurement of human beings who pays to be on board:-).

P&I Protecting & Indemnity Club

Theoretically an organization settled by a group of Owners to insure, among other,
liabilities not covered by the Hull and Machinery insurances.

PCC Pure Car Carriers

Vessel type, able to lift several thousands cars.

PCTC Pure Car/Truck Carriers

Vessel type

PDI Pre-Delivery Inspection

Value added service by inspecting shipped goods when they leave the sea carrier.

Pilot Pilot
Experienced local navigator who advise the master about the peculiarities of the port
and its approaches. Practically the pilot directs himself the manoeuver of the vessel by
giving steering orders to the helmsman and engine orders to the ship mate. On some
difficult waterways (Manchester, Scheldt-Brussels canals) the pilot or an assistant also
steers directly the ship. The pilot is almost never responsible, except on Panama canal
where his fault involves the liability of the canal authorities. Practically this is however
limited by the numerous letters of "release of liability" if the ship has some handicaps
such as a bad trim. When the liability of the canal is anyway involved, the serious delay
caused by the investigation of any incident make that small damages to the ship are
cheaper not to report.

PLIMSOLLMark PLIMSOLL MARK

Mark carved and painted on both sides of the ship, at mid-length, showing the deepest
draft at which the ship can be loaded. Imposed by Mr.Samuel PLIMSOLL in Britain in
1876. Several levels are indicated: SW= Summer sea water draft, TW=Tropical sea
water draft, W=Winter sea water draft, FW= Summer fresh water draft, TFW= Tropical
fresh water draft.

PMCC Pensky-Martens closed cup.

One of several types of apparatus for determining flash points. The Pensky-Martens
closed tester (ASTM D93-79) is used for liquids that have a viscosity of 45 SUS
(Saybolt universal seconds) or more at 100 degrees F (38 degrees C), a flash point of
200 degrees F (93.6 degrees C) or higher, contain suspended solids, or form surface
films.

Polymerisation Polymerisation
Linking of small molecules (monomers) to form larger molecules (polymers). The
molecular weight and structure of a polymer is determined by reaction factors such as
temperature and pressure, and concentrations of reactants, monomer, catalyst or
initiator, and modifying agents. Polymerisation may occur by addition reactions, or by
condensation as in the production of polyamides, polyesters and polysulfides. A real
risk on a chemical tanker, and when it happens the tank contains a solid block of plastic
instead of a liquid.

POR Pacific Ocean Region (INMARSAT)

POSH Port Out, Starboard Home

The best and most expensive cabins on the former British steamer sailing to and from
India. In the Mediterranean, the Red sea and the Arabian sea the sun was mainly on
starboard side during the outbound trip, and of course on starboard side when the vessel
was coming back. Now this acronym is used to designated somebody wealthy. Taking
into account the poor perfomances of the air conditioning on many commercial ship it
could still be useful to check from which side the sun will shine for a crossing.

PP (PPD) Pre Paid

Prepaid, usually concerning the freight.

PPT/ONW Prompt/(On Wharf?)

Broker's term: cargo is ready to be loaded.

Propane PROPANE
See C3H8

PRS Polish Register of Shipping

Classification societies. In 1997 it was rejected from the IACS group on a claim of low
standard.

PSC Port State Control

Convention which allows the contracting states to inspect the vessel calling their port,
and detain them is safety deficiencies are observed.

PV Pilot Vessel

Quebec
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Q Q = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - - . - )
Flag= Yellow.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "Quarantine flag"(Kerchove)
Hoisted on arrival, it means that nobody can go ashore or board until the quarantine
officer has cleared the ship.

Romeo
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R R = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . - . )

Flag= Red background with yellow Greek cross.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means : "The way is off my ship." (The ship lies still
in the water)

Racking Racking
Distorting of a ship's transverse shape through undue strain. This can now still happen
with large bulkcarrier in bad weather. Some loading software are calculating the static
racking due to uneven cargo distribution under the item: torque.

RACON RAdar beaCONs

Radar signature of beacons and buoys for easy identification on the radar PPI. Most of
them work on 3 and 10 cm, and if not they cannot be detected. Poor functioning also
affect their performance, nevertheless they offer a precious aid to navigation.

RCDS Raster Chart Display System

The electronic chart display in use by the British Admiralty. Based on an image of the
paper chart it is far inferior to the ECDIS, and is not accepted by SOLAS to ensure the
seaworthiness of the vessel, so that a separate set of paper chart musts be carried and
corrected.

RCO Risk Control Option

Prefered mehtod to control safety risks in shipping. Often used in FSA's in conjunction
with CAF

RCC Rescue Co-ordination Center

Unit responsible of for promoting efficient organization of search adn rescue (SAR)
services and for co-ordinating the conduct of SAR operations within a SAR region.
(ALRS)

RDF Radio Direction Finder

Navigational instruments which was used to find out the direction of a radio broadcast.
Although lacking some precision, it was very reliable when all the other means to fix
the position were not available. Now it is mostly replaced by the GPS, only some coast
station are using a kind of RDF working on VHF channel to locate small crafts. Once in
the Windward passage between Cuba and Haiti I heard a small craft about to sink,
calling with a portable VHF and which was totally unable to give a position to the
closest USCG station, likely Guantanamo.

RGE Range
Range of ports in which the cargo could be loaded: Le Havre/Hamburg includes those
ports and all those in between: Dunkirk, Antwerp, Rotterdam...

RINA Registro Italiano NAvale

Italian Classification Society

ROB Remaining On Board

Usually alist of the weights remaining on board: eventually cargo and consumables.

Roro Roll On / Roll off

Ferries with special doors through which large vehicles can be enter / leave the vessel.
This type of ship is highly vulnerable if water submerge the main car deck, for instance
after a collision. Poor lashing of heavy trucks can also cause a dangerous list if some of
them become looze in bad weather. Many roro capsized, usually drowning some or all
crew members. BESMA which was in charge of the IFSMA working group on Roro did
never agree with the actual design of these ships.

RT Radio Telephony

Sierra
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S S = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . . . )

Flag= White background with central blue square.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means : "Engine going full astern."

St.Andrew Cross X Saint Andrew's Cross. X

Used in packaging for transport; means harmful - stow away from foodstuffs. (IMO,
Material Class 6.1, Group III).(US)

SB Safe Berth
Broker and chartering term meaning that the ship cannot be in danger hen berthed. If
grounding is often a cause of the un-safety of the berth, urrent, weak mooring, and
many other dangers can render a berth unsafe.

SBT Segregated Ballast Tank

(MARPOL)Tank used exclusively for water ballast but which can be pumped through
cargo pumps under certain conditions

SHEX Sunday and Holidays Excluded

Method of calculating the Lay days. These days are not counted.
SHINC Sundays and Holidays INCluded
Method of calculating the Lay days. These days are counted.

SIGTTO Society of International Gas Tankers and Terminal Operators ltd.

SIRE Ship Inspection Report Exchange

Oil and product tanker inspection and exchange of information system. The main users
are the oil majors, the charterers and the shipowners. (Seaways A-40) This system did
not prevent the chartering of the ERIKA by TotalFina.

SLF IMO Sub-Committee on Stability and Load Lines and on Fishing Vessels'
Safety

SMC Safety Management Certificate

(ISM Code) Certificates stating that the ship has an SMS

SMP Single Mooring Point

Tanker terminal using a single buoy or fixed structure to fasten the vessel and carry out
cargo operations. The ship can swing freely around this point.

SMS Safety Management System

(ISM Code)

SOLAS Safety Of Life At Sea

Main International Convention which regulates most safety aspect of commercial
vessels.

SOPEP Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Procedure

Set of instructions to use in case of oil discharge. On most vessels carrying dry goods it
is only needed for bunkering operation. These instructions however include many drills
which must be carried out and recorded.

SPURLING PIPE Spurling pipe

Steel fitting where the anchor chains enter its locker. See spurling pipe

SSHEX Sunday, Saturday and Holidays Excluded

Method of calculating the Lay days. These days are not counted.

SSS Single Side Skin

Hulls of tankers and bulkers which are not fully protected by a ballast or void space, as
opposed to DSS

STCW 95/98 Seafarer's Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code 95

IMO regulations on the minimum academic and training standards for deck and engine
officers. These were necessary to fight certificates delivered by totally unqualified
maritime schools. Together with the STCW the IMO publish a 'White List' of approved
Nautical schools world wide. It remains that even those actual STCW standards are
drastically low compared to those of three decades ago. With these STCW somebody
can become captain after 24 months at sea only, thus less navigation time than some
cadets of the sixties had when they became 4th mate not yet in charge of a watch. Even
European nations are now joining the competition to lower the standards, assuming
wrongly that anybody is able to sail or run a ship provided some minimum training has
been offered. This goes against the increased complexity of the on board technology,
against the variety and quantity of the dangerous and polluting goods transported,
against the proliferation of rules which must be adhered to. Furthermore some training
establsihment are urging the various national martime administration to reduce further
the sailing time requirements by allowing 'virtual sailing time' to recruits who follow
some special training or simulator courses!

STW StoW (In SCRAP STW ABT 54')

Stowage factor often expressed in cubic feet per ton.(Here 54 cubic feet per ton)

STEM SubjecT Enough Merchandise

Note accompanying the booking an amount of cargo, bunker..

SW Salt Water
In reference to the water supporting the ship, meaning Sea Water. Usually the density of
Salt Water is 1.025, but can vary from 1.023 up to 1.030 or even 1.033 in place like the
Bitter Lakes in the Suez Canal.

Tango
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T T = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - )

Flag= Red, white, blue vertical stripes.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means : "Do not pass ahead of me."

TBN To Be Named.
Brokerage and chartering, replaces the name of the ship when it is still unknown.

T/C Time Charter

Hire of a vessel by a "Charterer" who trade the vessel for a fixed period. The shipowner
still manage the vessel, but the Charterer pays for the fuel and the port costs.

TGV Trs Grande Vitesse

High speed trains, also called HST. But as the french led the technology and got the
fastest train (but not the best organisation which is to be found in Japan), the French
designation prevailed.

THPA Thees & Hartlepool Port Authority

UK port agency.
TLm 96 Tolerance Limit median value for 96 hours
The concentration of a substance which would kill 50 per cent of exposed aquatic
organisms within a 96 hour period.

TOVALOP Tanker Owners Voluntary Agreement concerning Liability for Oil

Pollution
Agreement between most tankers owners who agree to pay jointly for clean-up costs in
case of pollution by oil discharge from one of their vessel.

TLV Threshold Limit Value

Refers to airborne concentrations of substances, and represents conditions under which
it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed for an 8 hour day, 5
days a week for a working lifetime (expressed as parts per million (ppm) for gases and
vapours and as milligrams per cubic metre(mg/m3 ) for fumes, mists and dusts).

TPC/I Ton Per Centimer/Inch

Number of metric tons necessary to increase the draft by one centimer/inch when the
ship is loaded near the Summer Draft.

TSS Traffic Separation Scheme

Uniform
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U U = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . . - )

Flag= Two white and two red square.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means : "You are facing immediate danger."

UECC United European Car Carriers

Largest shortsea shipping line in Europe car carrying.(1999)

UHF Ultra High Frequency

(300-3000 MHz) The apparatus using these frequencies are the best one for internal
communications on steel ships as they are not hampered by steel bulkheads.

ULCC Ultra Large Crude Carrier

Large tanker with a deadweight above 300000 tons deadweight

UTC Universal Time Co-ordinated

In the past referred to as GMT, also designated as 'Z'

UU Unless Used
Brokerage, chartering term usually accompanying the uses of Saturday, Sunday,
Holidays. If these days are used to discharge/load the ship they are counted as laydays.
Victor
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V V = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . . . - )

Flag= Diagonal red cross on a white background.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means : "I require assistance."(Kerchove)

VP Vapour Pressure
The pressure at which a liquid and its vapour are in equilibrium at a specific
temperature. At this equilibrium, the gas above the liquid is saturated with the vapour,
and condensation and evaporation are occurring at equal rates.

VCM Vinyl Chloride Monomer

Gas occasionaly carried by LPG tankers. Highly cancerogen, heard that the German
allows a crew to carry the gas only once in their carreer. Classified as flamable, toxic
and polymerizable.

VHF Very High Frequency

(30-300 MHz) Designate also the radio communication apparatus using this frequency.
It reaches only slightly beyond the horizon, except in favourable circumstances where
transmission up to several hundred miles are possible.

VLCC Very Large Crude Carrier

Large tanker of 180000 to 300000 tons deadweight

VOC Volatile Organic Compounds

A general term which refers to a large and diverse group of chemicals, including
hydrocarbons, oxygenates and halocarbons that readily evaporate at room temperature.

VTS, VTIS Vessel Traffic (Information) Service

Shore based system which controls the traffic in port approaches, pilotage areas... It is
only efficient if experienced masters or pilots are using the system.

Whiskey
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W W = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( . - - )

Flag= Central red square set in a larger white square with all-round blue border.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means : "I require medical assistance."(Kerchove)

WIBON Whether In Berth Or Not

Meaning that the NOR can be tendered even if the ship is not yet alongside.
WLTHC Water Line / Top of Hatch Coaming
To see if the load/discharge gear is large and high enough to reach the hatches. As the
size of the ships increased faster than the size of the berth, this is often a problem. The
ship can at times be lowered by taking ballast, even if one hold if needed, but the depth
can be a problem also. Giving a list can help in some cases.

WMO Wolrd Maritime Organization

WPS Wolrd Port Services

Joint venture of American Port Services in which Associated British Port has a 50%
holding, and two Belgian companies, Cobelfret and Hesse Natie.(LL 9-7Y). Working in
the Port of Zeebrugge.

WWD Weather Working Days

Days during which bad weather did not stop the load/discharge operations. Often this is
a subject of dispute. The stevedore can have too much goods on the berth and stop the
discharge at the slightest rain. Regularly a record of the local meteorological
observations is used, but the crew should better keeps its own record.

WWL Wallenius Wilhelsmen Line

Shipping company specialized in Car carriers. President Chirster OLSON (1999)

X-ray
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X X = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - . . - )

Flag= White background and blue Greek cross.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means : "Stop carrying out your intention and watch
my signal.(Kerchove)

XBE eXcluded Both Ends

Regarding the laydays, when an expression as SSHEX is used, it is extended to load and
discharge ports.

Yankee
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Y Y = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - . - - )

Flag= Diagonal red and yellow stripes.
When hoisted singly from a ship it means "I am carrying mail"(Kerchove)
York-Antwerp Rules York-Antwerp Rules 1950
Rules to settle General Average claims. Their use is normally stipulated in the B/L or
C/P.

Zulu
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Z Z = signal letter and flag. Morse = ( - - . . )

Flag= 4 colored triangle having their apex meeting at the center of the flag: black at the
hoist, blue at the fly, yellow at the top, red at the bottom. When hoisted singly from a
ship it means "I wish to communicate with a shore station"(Kerchove)

ZERNOCON ZERNOCON
Old code name for charter parties relating to grain cargoes from Russian, Black sea and
Azoff ports to UK. (Kerchove)

ZUMACA ZUMACA
Small sailing coaster from the River Plate estuary and the adjacent waters of Brazil.
(Kerchove)

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