AB

Able seaman.
ABACK
The situation of the sails when the wind presses their surfaces against the mast,
and tends to force the vessel astern.
ABAFT
Toward the rear (stern) of the boat. Behind.
Abaft
A relative term used to describe the location of one object in relation to another,
in which the object described is farther aft than the other. Thus, the mainmast is
abaft the foremast (in back of).
Abaft
A point beyond the midpoint of a ships length, towards the rear or stern.
Abaft the beam
Any direction between the beam and the stern, more behind a vessel than in
front of it. Behind a perpendicular line extending out from the middle of the boat
Abaft the beam
Said of the bearing of an object which bears between the beam and the stern
(further back than the ship's middle).
Abandon
A proceeding wherein a shipper/consignee seeks authority to abandon all or
parts of their cargo.
Abandon ship
Get away from the ship, as in an emergency.
Abatement
A discount allowed for damage or overcharge in the payment of a bill.
ABEAM
1. On a line at right angles to a ship/s length.2. At right angles to the keel of the
boat, but not on the boat.
Abeam
The bearing of an object 90 degrees from ahead (in a line with the middle of the
ship).
ABI
U.S. Customs' "Automated Broker Interface," by which brokers file importers'
entries electronically.
Able bodied seaman
The next grade above the beginning grade of ordinary seaman in the deck crew.

ABLE BODIED SEAMEN
A member of the deck crew who is able to perform all the duties of an
experienced seamen; certificated by examination; must have three years sea
service. Also called Able Seamen and A.B.
ABLE SEAMEN (AB)
Stand watch, during which they steer the vessel, stand lookout, assist the mate
on watch and make rounds of the ship to insure that all is in order. They also tie
up and untie the vessel to and from the dock and maintain the equipment on
deck.
ABOARD
On or within the ship
Aboard
In the vessel (on the ship).
Aboard
Referring to cargo being put, or laden, onto a means of conveyance.
ABOUT
On the other tack.
About Ship
The order to tack the ship
ABOVE DECK
On the deck (not over it - see ALOFT)
Aboveboard
Above decks; without concealment of deceit (out in the open).
Abox
To lay the head yards abox in a square rigged sailing vessel was to lay them
square to the foremast in order to heave-to.
ABREAST
Alongside of. Side by side. Side by side ; by the side of.
Abreast
Abeam of (alongside of).
Absolute efficiency
An arbitrary filter efficiency rating.
Absolute micron rating
All (not just 98%) particles larger than the stated micron size have been
removed from the fluid being filtered.
Absolute pressure
The total pressure measured from absolute zero ( i.e., from an absolute
vacuum).
Absolute temperature
The temperature of a body referred to the absolute zero, at which point the
volume of an ideal gas theoretically becomes zero. (Fahrenheit scale is minus
459.67
Absolute viscosity ( Dynamic )
Is the force in newton required to move a fluid layer of one square meter area
and a thickness of one meter with a velocity of one meter per second.
Absorb
A method to trap liquids or gases by causing them to penetrate into the
absorbent material.
Absorption
One carrier assumes the charges of another without any increase in charges to
the shipper.
Abyss
That part of the ocean lying below 300 fathoms from the surface.



Acceptance
A time draft (or bill of exchange) that the drawee (payer) has accepted and is
unconditionally obligated to pay at maturity.- Broadly speaking, any agreement
to purchase goods under specified terms.
Access Hole
A hole through casing, bulkhead, floor or deck to enable one to reach work or
gear.
Accessorial Charges
Charges that are applied to the base tariff rate or base contract rate, e.g.,
bunkers, container, currency, destination/delivery.
ACCOMMODATION
Place where crew is accommodated.
Accommodation ladder
The portable steps from the gangway down to the waterline.
Accommodation unit
Fitted with cabins and catering facilities for offshore crews. Semisubmersible
accommodation units are ofte called "Flotels".
ACFM
ACRONYM Actual cubic feet per minute.
Acidity
The quality, state or degree of being acid. In oils, acidity denotes the presence of
acid-type constituents whose concentration is usually defined in terms of
neutralization number.
Acquiescence
When a bill of lading is accepted or signed by a shipper or shipper's agent
without protest, the shipper is said to acquiesce to the terms, giving a silent form
of consent.
Acquittance
A written receipt in full, in discharge from all claims.
ACS (A.C.S.)
U.S. Customs' master computer system, "Automated Commercial Systems."
ACT ACRONYM
Activate, Activation
Act of God
An act beyond human control, such as lightning, flood or earthquake.
Activated alumina
An adsorption type desiccant.
ACTR
ACRONYM - Actuator
Actual capacity
Quantity of gas actually compressed and delivered to the discharge system at
rated speed of the machine and under rated pressure conditions.
AD VAL
Ad valorem.
Ad Valorem
A term from Latin meaning, "according to value."
Adiabatic compression
A type of compression where no heat is transferred to or from the gas during the
compression process.
Adiabatic efficiency
Ratio between measured shaft power and the adiabatic compression power,
referring to measured mass flow.
ADJUSTMENT
Calculation of a loss by an average adjuster.
Administrative Law Judge
A representative of a government commission or agency vested with power to
administer oaths, examine witnesses, take testimony, and conduct hearings of
cases submitted to, or initiated by, that agency. Also called Hearing Examiner.
Admiral
The title of a commander of a fleet or a subdivision of it.

Admiral
Comes from the Arabic "Emir" or "Amir" which means "First commander" and
"Al-bahr which means "the sea". Emir-al-barh evolved into Admiral.
Admiralty (Adm.)
Refers to marine matters such as an Admiralty Court.
Admiralty Law
The law of the sea; jurisdiction over maritime causes.
Air cylinder
A component made up of a cylinder barrel, end covers, a piston rod, a steel or
stainless steel piston. A device which induces action or motion with compressed
air being the medium through which the power is transmitted.
AIR DRAUGHT
One of the 3 possible distances:The max height from the water line to the
topmost of a ship,The clearance between the topmost point and a bridge over a
river,The max height from the water line to the top of the hatch coamings.
Air dryer
A device for drying compressed air by means of condensation obtained by over-
compression or cooling, absorption, adsorption or a combination of the above
methods.
Air flow
The motion of air relative to a body in it.
Air knife
A component on a compressed air line that provides wide are coverage with a
thin sheet of air. Also amplifies compressed air flow, reduces noise. Used in
blowing, cooling. Also known as air curtain.
Air leak
A crack or hole that accidentally admits a gas or lets it escape.
Air lock
Device that permits passage between regions of differing air pressures, most
often used for passage between atmospheric pressure and chambers in which
the air is compressed. A typical modern air lock consists of a cylinder of steel
plate with airtight doo ...
Air motor
Is a compact, low mass unit giving smooth, non-vibrating power. Several types
include vane, piston, percussion and turbine type motors

Air nozzle
A projecting aperture at the end of a tube, pipe etc. serving as an outlet for
compressed air. Reduces the demand on the compressor by generating the
highest thrust and volume for the lowest possible air consumption.
Air preheater
Indirect heat exchanger designed to transfer heat from combustion gas to the air
stream added to the combustion zone.
Air pressure
The total gas pressure (static plus velocity).
Air pump
A pump which is used to deliver air to the aquarium. The pump pushes air
through silicon tubing and to air stones or other aquatic decor. They are also an
essential for UGF's (undergravel filters). An air stone is placed in each clear tube.
When the air b ...
Air receiver
A receptacle which serves to store compressed air for heavy demands in excess
of compressor capacity.
Air tank
A metal air-tight tank built into a boat to insure flotation even when the boat is
swamped.
Air Waybill
The forwarding agreement or carrying agreement between shipper and air
carrier and is issued only in nonnegotiable form.
Aladdin Cleat
A cleat that attaches to the backstay over the cockpit, usually used for hanging a
lantern
Albatross
Large and long-winged seabird of the southern hemisphere capable of long
flights. It was believed among seamen that albatrosses embodied the souls of
dead sailors, and it was considered unlucky to kill one.
ALEE
Away from the direction of the wind. Opposite of windward.
Alee
To the leeward side (away from the wind).
Alive
Alert (pep it up!).

Bar gauge (similar to the acronym "psig")

Bargain
A term used on the London Stock Exchange to describe a share purchase or sale.
The term does not.



Barge
(1) A cargo carrying vessel, usually without an engine, towed or pushed by a
tug. Small barges for carrying cargo between ship and shore are known as
lighters. (2) Also a term in sail racing - a boat which forces its way illegally
between another contesta ...
BARGE
Flat-bottomed boat designed to carry cargo on inland waterways,usually without
engines or crew accommodations. Barges can be lashed together and either
pushed or pulled by tugs, carrying cargo of 60,000 tons or more. Small barges
for carrying cargo betwee ...
BARGE ABOARD CATAMARAN
A way of loading cargo into large barges and then in turn loading the barges into
a ship.
Barograph
An instrument used to keep a record of atmospheric pressure, such as on a
paper drum.
Barometer
An instrument for measuring the pressure of the atmosphere. The two principle
types are aneroid and mercurial.
Barometer
An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure in inches or millibars of
mercury
Barometric Pressure
Atmospheric pressure as measured by a barometer.
Barometric pressure
Is the absolute atmospheric pressure existing at any given point in the
atmosphere. It is the weight of a unit column of gas directly above the point of
measurement. It varies with altitude, moisture and weather conditions.
Barque (Also Bark)
A sailing ship with three to five masts, all of them square-rigged except the after
mast, which is fore-and-aft rigged.
Barquentine
Sailing vessel with three or more masts. Square rigged on foremast, fore and aft
rigged on all others.
BARRATRY
Negligence or fraud on the part of the Master or crew resulting in a loss to the
owners.

Beachcomber
Originally a seaman who, not wanting to work, preferred to exist by hanging
around ports and harbors and living on the charity of others. Now more generally
describing any loafer around the waterfront who prefers not to work.
Category:Sea Words
Beachcomber
A derelict seaman found unemployed on the waterfront, especially in a foreign
country (seaman without a ship).
Category:Sea Words
Beacon
A lighted or unlighted fixed (non-floating) aid to navigation that serves as a
signal or indication for guidance or warning. (Lights and daybeacons both
constitute "beacons.")
Category:Sea Words



Bead ring
A ring used to attach certain bellow type flexible members of an air actuators to
the mounting surface.
Category:Sea Words
Beadwall (TM)
A form of movable insulation that uses tiny polystyrene beads blown into the
space between two window panes.
Category:Energy Terms
Beak
Name given to the metal point or ram fixed on the bows of old war galleys and
used to pierce the hulls, and thus sink or disable enemy ships.
Category:Sea Words
Beam
(1) The transverse measurement of a boat at its widest point. Also called
breadth. (2) One of the transverse members of a ship's frames on which the
decks are laid.
Category:Sea Words
Beam Ends
Vessel said to be "on her beam ends" when she is lying over so much that her
deck beams are nearly vertical.
Category:Sea Words
Beam Radiation
Solar radiation that is not scattered by dust or water droplets.
Category:Energy Terms
Beam Reach
A point of sail where the boat is sailing at a right angle to the wind (wind coming
from abeam). A beam reach is usually the fastest point of sail. A beam reach is a
point of sail between a broad reach and a close reach.
Category:Sea Words
Beam Sea
A situation in which waves strike a boat from the side, causing it to roll
unpleasantly.
Category:Sea Words
Beam Wind
One which blows across a boat's side
Category:Sea Words
Beam wind
A wind at right angles to a vessel's course (wind blowing at the ship's side.)
Category:Sea Words
Beamy
Wide, a wide boat is a beamy boat
Category:Sea Words
Bear
An investor who believes share prices are going to fall. He therefore sells shares,
sometimes.
Category:Financial Terms
BEAR
An object bears so and so, when it is in such a direction from the person looking.
To bear down upon a vessel, is to approach her from the windward.To bear up,
is to put the helm up and keep a vessel off from her course, and move her to
leeward.To bear aw ...
Category:Sea Words


Bear a hand
To assist or help.
Category:Sea Words
Bear Away, Bear Off
To turn the boat away from the wind. Also, Fall Off. The opposite of heading up.
Category:Sea Words
Bear call spread
The purchase of a call with a high strike price against the sale of a call with a
lower strike.
Category:Financial Terms
Bear Down
To approach something from upwind
Category:Sea Words