Marine Term Glossary

ABS
American Bureau of Shipping; a vessel classification agency that also assigns international loadlines.

Admeasure
To measure, calculate, and certify; for the purpose of registration, certain dimensions of a vessel as well as its gross and net tons.

Affreightment, Contract Of
An agreement by an ocean carrier to provide cargo space on a vessel at a specified time and for a specified price to accommodate an exporter or importer.

AHP
Above Head of Passes; used with mileage designations on the Mississippi River, the Head of Passes being mile zero.

All In
The total price to move cargo from origin to destination, inclusive of all charges.

Anchor

A heavy object of steel or iron attached to a vessel by a cable and/or chain and cast overboard to keep the vessel in place, either by its weight or by its flukes gripping the bottom.

Anodes
Metallic plates that, when attached to the hull of a vessel, decompose because of electrolysis, thereby reducing deterioration of hull plate.

ATDNSHINC
Any Time Day or Night Sundays & Holidays Included.

Automated Identification System (AIS)
An electronic instrument placed on regulated powered vessels to automatically provide their identity, location and other navigational data to a central receiving base to facilitate navigational control and safety.

Backhaul
To haul a shipment back over part of a route it has traveled.

Bareboat Charter (Demise Charter)
A form of vessel rental in which the charterer assumes total responsibility for the vessel and its operations, as if the vessel was owned by the charterer.

Beam
The breadth of a vessel.

Bilge
The lower inner space of a vessel’s hull.

Bitt (Bollard or Timberhead)
A single or double post on a vessel or wharf to which lines are tied.

Bounding Angle
A steel angle used for reinforcement at the junction of two steel plates.

Boxed End
The end of a barge that is squared for the full depth and width of the hull.

Buck Frame
A transverse truss.

Bulwark
The side of a vessel that extends above the upper deck.

Butterworth Opening
A deck access opening with bolted cover, designed for butterworth operations.

Camel
A pontoon used to fender between a vessel and a wharf.

Capstan
A hand or machine-powered vertical spindle, mounted drum that rotates and pulls lines by winding.

Certification
The act of attesting that a vessel has met specific legal requirements by the issuance of various certificates or validation of documents by certain governmental or private agencies.

Charter Party
A contractual agreement between two entities for the purpose of renting, hiring, or leasing the exclusive use of a vessel.

CIF
Cost, Insurance, and Freight; cost of transportation and insurance to be paid by the seller of goods to the named point of destination.

Cleat
A metal fitting with two projecting horns around which a rope may be made fast. (See kevel).

Coaming
A watertight, raised framework around an opening on the deck of a vessel. 

COFR
Certificate of Financial Responsibility; a document issued by U.S.C.G. to a company for a vessel or a fleet of vessels, giving evidence that the vessel owner/operator has met the financial requirements for oil spill clean-up costs as contained in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

Coils
A system of small-diameter pipes installed inside a liquid-cargo tank for the purpose of heating the cargo by means of hot oil or steam.

Common Carrier
A federally licensed company that offers to the general public, under published tariffs, to engage in the interstate or foreign transportation of commodities of various types.

Confirmed Letter of Credit
A letter of credit, issued by a foreign bank, whose validity has been confirmed by a domestic bank. An exporter with a confirmed letter of credit is assured of payment even if the foreign buyer or the foreign bank defaults.

Daymark
A marker used as an aid to navigation and which is visible in daylight.

Deadman
An object, such as an anchor, piling, or concrete block, buried on shore.

Deadweight
The number of tons of 2,240 pounds that a vessel can transport of cargo, stores and bunker fuel. It is the difference between the number of tons of water a vessel displaces “light” and the number of tons it displaces when submerged to the “load line”.

Deadweight Tonnage
The cargo capacity of a vessel.

Deck Lashing Strap
A steel deck fitting typically used as an attachment for cargo tie down lines.

Demurrage
A charge assessed for detaining a vessel beyond the free time stipulated for loading or unloading.

Differential
An amount added or deducted from base rate to make a rate to or from some other point or via another route.

Docking Tug
A tugboat that assists a large seagoing vessel to and from its berth.

Dolphin
A cluster of piles driven into the bottom of a waterway and bound firmly together for the mooring of vessels.

Draft
The depth of a vessel’s keel below the waterline; often expressed as light-draft; or, conversely, loaded draft.

Drip Pan
An open container located on deck under the ends of a pipeline header to retain cargo drippage. Required on all U.S.C.G.-certified tank barges.

Dumb Vessel
A vessel without means of self-propulsion.

EHL
East of Harvey Lock - used with mileage designations on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Harvey Lock being mile zero.

ETD
Estimated Time of Departure.

Fairing
Re-forming distorted steel to its original form or shape.

Fender
Any device used to absorb and distribute shock and to prevent chafing between a vessel and another object.

Flame Screen
A corrosion-resistant fine wire mesh screen used to cover certain openings on tank vessels to prevent the passage of flame into the tank.

Fleet Boat
A boat that primarily tends, tows within, or otherwise services a fleeting area.

FOB (Free On Board)
An International Term of Sale that means the seller fulfills his or her obligation to deliver when the goods have passed over the ship’s rail at the named port of shipment. This means that the buyer has to bear all costs and risks to loss of or damage to the goods from that point. The FOB term requires the seller to clear the goods for export.

Freeboard
The distance from the waterline to the main deck of a boat or barge.

Freeing Port
A large opening in the bulwark on an exposed deck of a seagoing vessel that provides for the rapid draining of water from that deck.

Fully Found
A vessel completely equipped and manned for service.

Gas Free
The process of removing all hazardous gases and residues from the compartments of a vessel. Gasket An elastic packing material used for making joints watertight.

GIWW
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

Gross Tons
The volume measurement of the internal voids of a vessel wherein 100 cubic feet equals one ton.

Gusset
A steel plate used for reinforcing or bracing the junction of other steel members.

Hatch
A removable cover over the cargo hold of a vessel.

Headlog
The reinforced, vertical plate that connects the bow rake bottom to the rake deck of a barge or square-stemmed boat.

Hip Towing
A method of towing whereby the vessel being towed is secured along-side the towboat.

Horsepower
A standard unit of power that is often classified in connection with engines as brake, continuous input, intermittent, output, or shaft horsepower.

ICC
Interstate Commerce Commission; a U.S. governmental agency that regulates the domestic transportation of certain commodities.

Inland Waters
Considered to be the canals, lakes, rivers and their tributaries, and bays and sounds of the land mass of a country.

Insurance, General-Average
In water transportation, the deliberate sacrifice of cargo to make the vessel safe for the remaining cargo. Those sharing in the spared cargo proportionately cover the loss.

Intercoastal
Water service between two coasts; in the U.S., this usually refers to water service between the Atlantic and Pacific or Gulf Coasts.

Keel Line
An imaginary line describing the lowest portion of a vessel’s hull.

Knot
One nautical mile (6,076 feet or 1852 meters) per hour. In the days of sail, speed was measured by tossing overboard a log which was secured by a line. Knots were tied into the line at intervals of approximately six feet. The number of knots measured was then compared against time required to travel the distance of 1000 knots in the line.

Landing
An improved waterfront property that facilitates loading, unloading, and servicing of vessels.

Lightening Hole
A hole cut in a plate or frame to reduce its weight without reducing its strength.

Light Screen
A structure surrounding a vessel’s navigation light so as to shield the light from view at certain points of the compass as required by navigational regulations.

Limber Hole
A drain hole near the bottom of a frame or bulkhead.  

Loadline Marks
A set of permanent markings on the side of an oceangoing or Great Lakes vessels which denotes its maximum legal operating draft under certain specified conditions and which is determined by one of the internationally recognized assigning agencies.  

Logbook (Logs)
The official records of the daily operations of a manned vessel, kept in detail by the master.

Maltese Cross A-1
The designation used by ABS which signifies that a vessel has met the classification requirements of that agency.

Manhole Cover
A cover which seals a manhole and is usually designed to lock in place by twisting or using a centerbolt, studbolts, or dogs.

Marine Chemist
One who is certified to perform inspections in accordance with the Standard for the Control of Gas Hazards on vessels to be repaired as adopted by the National Fire Protection Association.

Mats
Slabs, usually constructed of timbers, which are placed on the deck of a vessel for the purpose of supporting and distributing the weight of heavy loads.

Model Hull
A type of hull design in which the form is molded, curved, and shaped into a pointed and rounded stem.

MRGO (Mississippi River Gulf Outlet)
Waterway connecting the New Orleans Inner Harbor Navigation Canal to the Gulf of Mexico.

Navigable Waters
Those waterways upon which commercial or private vessels are able to operate in their customary mode of navigation.

Net Tons
The gross tons of a vessel, less deductions for certain specified non-cargo spaces, resulting in a net volume capacity of 100 cubic feet per ton. (See gross tons)

Official Number
The registration number assigned by the U.S. Coast Guard to a U.S. documented vessel, which is permanently marked on the main beam of that vessel.

Owner Code
(SCAC) Standard Carrier Abbreviation Code identifying an individual common carrier. A three letter carrier code followed by a suffix identifies the carrier’s equipment. A suffix of “U” is a container and “C” is a chassis.

Pelican Hook
A hinged hook held closed by a ring and used to provide the quick release of an object that it holds.

Plimsoll Mark
The primary loadline mark, which is a circle intersected by a horizontal line, accompanied by letters indicating the authority under which the loadline is assigned.

PV Valve
Pressure vacuum relief valve; a valve that automatically regulates the pressure or vacuum in a tank.

Pushboat A highly maneuverable, inland waters, shallow draft towboat, usually designed with a square bow and towing
knees, which facilitate its primary method of towing, which is pushing.  

Raised Rake
The rake of a barge that has sheer.

Registered
Pertaining to certain vessel data calculated under specific rules and officially documented such as registered length.

“Ro/Ro”
A shortening of the term, “Roll on/Roll Off.” A method of ocean cargo service using a vessel with ramps which allows wheeled vehicles to be loaded and discharged without cranes.

Rules of the Road
A code governing vessels as to the lights to be carried, the signals to be made, and their safe and proper navigation in order to avoid collisions. Statutes of the United States provide varying regulations for two areas of navigation. These regulations are known as Inland Navigation Rules and International Navigation Rules.

Sailing Line
The preferred course for safe and efficient navigation in the channel of a waterway.

Scupper
A drainage opening cut flush with the deck of a vessel through the bulwark or bin wall.

Seaworthy
The reasonably staunch, sound, and fit condition describing a vessel’s capability to safely carry its cargo and complete its intended voyage.

Sheer
The upward curvature or angle of a vessel’s deck at the bow or stern.

Shifting
The short movement or transfer of a vessel within a harbor or mooring area.

Shipper
The person or company who is usually the supplier or owner of commodities shipped. Also called Consignor.

Slopesheet
The sloped vertical steel plate forming the end of the hopper barge cargo compartment and which is part of the rake bulkhead.

Sponson
An addition to the side of a vessel that is outside its normal hull and which provides added deck space and/or greater flotation stability.

Spudwell
A casing, which is attached to or passes through the hull of a vessel through which a spud is raised or lowered.

Starboard
The right-hand side of a vessel when facing forward.

Stem
The main vertical structural member that forms the foremost part of a boat’s model bow.

Sternlog
The reinforced, vertical shell plating that connects the stern rake bottom to the rake deck of a barge.

Strapping Table
A chart used to convert readings of liquid levels in the tanks of a barge to volume measurements of that liquid.

Superstructure
The structural part of a boat above the main deck.

Survey, Condition
A survey that determines in some detail the specific condition of a vessel or of cargo; usually performed at the commencement or termination of charters or voyages for the agreed mutual benefit of various parties.

Survey Report
The written evidence of the survey.

Survey, Trip and Tow
A survey in which the surveyor has full responsibility for inspecting and approving the suitability of the towing vessel, its gear and its tow, the loading and lashing of the cargo, and the navigational procedures, all in relation to the trip intended.

Surveyor
A qualified marine inspector who performs surveys.

TBN (To Be Nominated)
When the name of a vessel is still unknown.

Tow
To push or pull vessels on a waterway; also refers to the unit composed of the towing vessel and the vessels being towed or only the vessels being towed.

“Tramp”
Tow Movement of barge(s) between two points by including it/them in a tow of a boat and other barges going in the same direction (contrast with “dedicated” tow). It is sometimes necessary to transfer barges being “tramped” from one boat to another to achieve the desired route and destination. Cost is generally less than the use of a “dedicated” boat, but control of the timing of barge movements is also less.

Truss
A rigid framework of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal structural members designed to support loads and reinforce a vessel’s hull.

Turnaround
In water transportation, the time it takes between the arrival of a vessel and its departure.

Ullage Opening
A small, covered opening in the top of a cargo tank through which measurements are made to determine the level of the liquid in the tank.

VCG
Vertical center of gravity; an important computation used in the determination of the stability of a vessel with its cargo.

Vessel Response Plan (VRP)
A U.S.C.G. approved set of guidelines for responding to a spill or potential spill of oil from tank vessels, including training and testing procedures, as mandated in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

Vessel Security Plan (VSP)
A U.S.C.G. approved set of guidelines providing for the secure operation of regulated vessels under various levels of national security warning levels, including specific protections, defenses and procedures as mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.

Wharfage (Whfge.)
Charge assessed by a pier or dock owner against freight handled over the pier or dock or against a steamship company using the pier or dock.

WHL (West of Harvey Lock)
Used with mileage designations on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Harvey Lock being mile zero.

Abaft
A point beyond the midpoint of a ship’s length, towards the rear or stern.

Affreightment
A contract for the movement of cargo in which the cargo owner/shipper is neither charterer nor operator of the vessel.

Aft
Movement toward the stern (back end) of a ship.

AIWW
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

Alongside
A phrase referring to the side of a ship. Goods delivered “alongside” are to be placed on the dock or barge within reach of the transport ship’s tackle so that they can be loaded.

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

Astern
Behind a vessel; Move in a reverse direction.

Athwartship
Transverse or across a vessel from side to side or a direction across the width of a vessel.

AWWL
Always Within Institute Warranties Limits (insurance purpose).

Ballast
Any substance, other than cargo, which is usually placed in the inner compartment of a vessel to produce a desired draft or trim.

Base Rate/Freight Rate
A tariff term referring to ocean rate less accessorial charges, or simply the base tariff rate.

Bell Suction
The flared, open end of a cargo pipeline, which is situated at close tolerances to the bottom of a liquid-cargo tank.

Bin
A walled enclosure built on the deck of a barge for the purpose of retaining cargo; also called a pen or cargo box.

Bollard Pull
The static pulling force of a tugboat measured in pounds/tons.

Bow
The forward or front end of a vessel.

Bridle
A V-shaped chain, wire, or rope attached to a vessel being towed to which the towline is connected.

Bulkhead
An upright partition separating compartments.

Buoy
A stationary floating object used as an aid for navigation.

Butterworth
A washing process used to gas free or clean a cargo tank, by means of hot water or chemicals, sprayed through a patented rotating nozzle.

Camber
The upward slope of a vessel’s deck, occurring when the centerline is higher than the gunwale.

Center of Gravity
The point of equilibrium of the total weight of a containership, truck, train or a piece of cargo. 

CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. The U.S. federal statute that establishes the legal and financial responsibilities of those persons or companies that discharge or dispose of hazardous substances on or into land, air, and navigable waters of the U.S. Primarily administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Channel
That portion of a waterway that is naturally or artificially deepened to permit safe navigation within certain limits. 

Chock
A heavy metal casting through which lines may pass for mooring or towing. 

Classification
The certification process, as administered by certain international agencies, whereby a vessel is designed, constructed, and maintained, in accordance with an agency’s requirements. 

Clip
A small steel bracket used for securing or reinforcing. 

Cofferdam
The space in a vessel between two closely located parallel bulkheads.

COGSA
Carriage of Goods by Sea Act. U.S. federal codification passed in 1936 which standardizes carrier’s liability under carrier’s bill of lading. U.S. enactment of the Hague Rules.

Comehome
A convex curvature of the rake sides of a barge that produces a narrower beam at the headlog than the beam of the hull.

Compartment
An interior space of a vessel’s hull formed by bulkheads.

Contract Carrier
A federally licensed company that offers, under individual contracts, to engage in interstate or foreign transportation of commodities of various types.

Deadhead
One leg of a move without a paying cargo load. Usually refers to repositioning an empty piece of equipment.

Deadrise
The upward slope of a vessel’s bottom occurring when the centerline is deeper than the bilge knuckle; provided to facilitate removal of liquid cargo.

Deadweight Cargo
A long ton of cargo that can be stowed in less than 40 cubic feet.

Deck Button
A round, steel fitting affixed to a vessel’s deck, designed to secure or guide cables for making up barge tows capstan open chock deck kevel chock deck roller chock deck button 62

“Dedicated” Tow
Movement of barge(s) between two points by the use of a boat exclusively assigned to that movement. A “dedicated” boat offers greater control of barge movements than a “tramp” tow, but generally at a higher cost.

Detention
The period of time that an owner or charterer is deprived of the use of his vessel as a result of actions of another party.

Displacement
The weight, in tons of 2,240 pounds, of the vessel and its contents. Calculated by dividing the volume of water displaced in cubic feet by 35, the average density of sea water.

Documentation
The process of licensing a vessel in either enrollment or registry, resulting in the issuance of a vessel’s official document.

Doubler
A steel plate installed on an existing structural plate and used as a strengthening base for deck fittings or as a repair of a damaged area.

Draft Marks
The numerical markings on the sides of a vessel at the bow and stern, which indicate, at the lower edge of the number, the amount of water the vessel draws.

Drydocking
The removal of a vessel from the water to accomplish repairs or inspections.

Dunnage
Any materials used to block or brace cargo to prevent its motion, chafing, or damage and to facilitate its handling.

ETA
Estimated Time of Arrival.

Expansion Trunk
A raised enclosure around an opening in the top of a liquid cargo tank that allows for heat expansion of the cargo.

Fairlead
A device consisting of pulleys or rollers arranged to permit the reeling in of a cable from any direction; often used in conjunction with winches and similar apparatus.

Fish Plate
A triangular-shaped steel plate used to strengthen the connection between the towing bridle and the towing hawser.

Flange
That portion of a steel shape, which projects at a right angle, to provide strength or a means of attachment to another part.

Fleeting Area (Fleet)
A designated portion of a waterway where vessels are regularly moored and tended.

Force Majeure
The title of a common clause in contracts, exempting the parties for nonfulfillment of their obligations as a result of conditions beyond their control, such as earthquakes, floods or war.

Free Time
That amount of time that a carrier’s equipment may be used without incurring additional charges. (See Storage, Demurrage or Per Diem)

FAF (Fuel Adjustment Factor Fully Found)
A vessel completely equipped and manned for service. deck lashing strap dolphin drip pan fish plate

FWPCA
Federal Water Pollution Control Act; the U.S. federal statute that establishes the legal and financial responsibilities of those persons or companies that discharge or dispose of oil or hazardous substances into or upon the navigable waters of the U.S. Primarily administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Gauge
A waterway marker that measures the level of the water in foot increments; also refers to the specific measure on the gauge.

Gross Tonnage (GT)
Applies to vessels, not to cargo. (0.2+0.02 log 10V) where V is the volume in cubic meters of all enclosed spaces on the vessel.

Gunwale (Gunnel)
That part of a barge or boat where the main deck and the side meet.

Harbor Boat
Any powered vessel, which is used primarily in harbor operations.

Hawser
A large-circumference rope used for towing or mooring a vessel or for securing it at a dock.

Head of Navigation
The uppermost limit of navigation from the mouth of a waterway.

Home Port
The port city that is the home base of a vessel or the city from which it is documented.

Hull
The main body of a vessel that provides flotation.

In Bond
Cargo moving under Customs control where duty has not yet been paid.

Insurance, All-Risk
This type of insurance offers the shipper the broadest coverage available, covering against all losses that may occur in transit.

Integrated Tow
A tow of box-ended barges that, as a complete unit, is raked at the bow, boxed at the intermediate connections, and boxed or raked at the stern.

Keel
The lowest structural member of a ship or boat that runs the length of the vessel at the centerline and to which the frames are attached.

Kevel (Caval)
A heavy, metal deck fitting having two horn-shaped arms projecting outward around which lines may be made
fast for towing or mooring of a vessel.

Laden
Loaded aboard a vessel.

LAYCAN
Laydays/Cancelling (date): Range of dates within which the hire contract must start.

Lighter
A vessel, usually a barge, that is used in loading or unloading a ship or in transporting cargo in and around a harbor.

Light Standard
A structure on a vessel used to hold a navigation light.

Lines
The ropes or cables used on a vessel for towing, mooring, or lashing.

Lock
An enclosure on a river or canal, with movable, watertight gates, through which vessels pass, and proceed from one water level to another by raising or lowering the water within the lock chamber.

Make-Up
The act of final positioning and securing of the vessels that form a tow.

Manhole
A framed opening in the deck of a vessel which primarily provides access for a man.

MARAD
The U.S. Maritime Administration.

Master
The captain of a vessel; the person who has complete charge of and authority aboard an operating vessel.

Milemarker (Mileboard)
A marker set up to indicate distances in miles along a waterway.

Molded Depth
The distance from the top of the keel to the top of the upper-deck beams amidships at the gunwale.

Nautical Mile
A unit of length used in sea navigation equal to 1852 meters or approximately 6076 feet.

Net Tonnage (NT)
(0.2+0.02 log 10(Vc)) Vc (4d/3D)2, for passenger ships the following formula is added: 1.25 (GT + 10000)/10000 (N1 + (N2/10)), where Vc is the volume of cargo holds, D is the distance between ship’s bottom and the uppermost deck, d is the draught N1 is the number of cabin passengers, and N2 is the number of deck passengers.) “Ton” is figured as a 100 cubic foot ton.

OCMI
Officer in Charge of Marine Inspections at a U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspection office. Such offices are located in a number of U.S. ports.

Offshore
Waters A common term for those waters that are beyond inland water limits and have the technical classification of oceans.

Padeye
A steel fitting formed by a flat doubler plate and vertical steel member containing a circular opening.

Pipe Stanchion
A steel deck fitting consisting of a vertical post with angled bracket(s) on one side, welded to a doubler plate, which is welded on the deck of a vessel to restrain the movement of cargo pipe.

Port
The left-hand side of a vessel when facing forward; a city having a harbor for vessels; a port hole.

Propeller
A mechanical device having radiating blades, which is mounted on a revolving, power-driven shaft for the purpose of
propelling a boat; also called a screw or wheel.

Push Knee (Tow Knee)
A vertical, reinforced steel structure installed on a vessel to facilitate push towing. The height of the knee allows for variance in free board between vessels.

Reachrod
A steel rod, which connects an above-deck valve handle to a below-deck valve.

Responsible Carrier Program (RCP)
A vessel safety management program developed by the maritime industry through the American Waterways Operators (AWO) and designed as a framework for continuously improving the industry’s safety performance. AWO members use the RCP as a guide in developing company-specific safety and environmental programs that are tailored to the unique operational environments found in the barge and towing industry. The program supports government regulations, requiring company safety and maintenance standards that are required by federal law or regulation.

Rubrail
A protective railing on the hull of a vessel, which is used for fendering.

Running Lights
Those lights required to be shown at night aboard a vessel or a tow while underway.

Scow Dump
Another term for a deck cargo barge having a hull design of a flat bottom, square-ended rakes of material usually with a dredge spoil cargo bin from selfunloading.

Seaworthiness
The fitness of a vessel for its intended use.

Semi-integrated Barge
A barge that is raked at one end and boxed at the other end. Shackle A u-shaped metal fitting used as a connection for line, cable, or chain and which has a pin secured through its end by a nut, cotterpin, or screw threads.

SHEX
Sunday and Holidays Excluded.

SHINC
Sunday and Holidays Included.

Skeg (Skag)
A framed steel plate structure that acts as a fixed rudder under the stern rake of a barge; also, the after-part extension of a boat’s keel upon which the rudder rests.

SOPEP
Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan; a U.S.C.G. approved set of guidelines for responding to a spill or potential spill of oil from any vessels engaged in international voyages, with certain exceptions, as mandated in Regulation 26 of Annex I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78).

Spud
A steel pile that is placed vertically through a well in the hull of a vessel and which, when lowered to the bottom of the waterway, anchors the vessel.

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
A standard numerical code used by the U.S. Government to classify products and services.

Steamboat Ratchet
A sleeve, internally threaded at the ends and with attached eye-rods, equipped with a ratchet used to turn the sleeve, thereby pulling the rods toward each other.

Stern
The after or rear end of a vessel.

Strake
A longitudinal or transverse row of steel hull plates.

Strongback
The bar in a centerbolt manhole cover assembly, which is drawn up against the manhole ring to pull the cover down tight.

Survey
A critical examination or inspection of a vessel, cargo, or marine structure for the purpose of ascertaining desired facts and conclusions when necessary.

Survey, Damage
A survey that determines the exact extent of damages incurred and specifies repair requirements.

Survey, Suitability
A survey that determines whether a vessel and its equipment are capable of adequately and safely performing an intended task.

Survey, Valuation
A survey that determines the current market value and may also express replacement value.

Tank
An enclosed space used for holding liquids.

THC (Terminal Handling Charges Time Charter)
A contract for the services of a vessel for a specified period of time during which the primary control and management of the vessel remain with the owner.

Towboat
Any powered vessel used for towing.

Transom
The hull plate and its framing that form the vertical end of a box-shaped barge; also, the frame plate forming the stern of a square-ended boat.

Tugboat
A model hull towboat of relatively deep draft used primarily for pull towing and designed for navigation in open or unprotected waters.

Turnbuckle
A connecting device usually used with cable or chain and which takes up slack by rotating on its screw threads.

U.S.C.G.
The United States Coast Guard.

Vessel Manifest
The international carrier is obligated to make declarations of the ship’s crew and contents at both the port of departure and arrival. The vessel manifest lists various details about each shipment by B/L number. Obviously, the B/L serves as the core source from which the manifest is created.

VTC
Vessel Traffic Control; a central control system used in some ports to safely direct navigation.

Watertight
Of such construction or fit as to prevent the passage of water, except when structural discontinuity, physical rupture, or purposeful opening may occur.

Wheel
Another term for a propeller; also, a boat’s steering wheel.

WQIS (Water Quality Insurance Syndicate)
An underwriting agency formed by various insurance companies for the purpose of insuring against losses resulting from water pollution.