Intact Stability Code (IMO)

Independent Tank

Pounds Per Square Inch

Propeller.

In charge of union business for unlicensed personnel. Handles grievances.

Water blown, or thrown, into the air in particles.

A large boat, used in loading and unloading vessels.

B/L Terms & Conditions: the fine print on B/L; defines what the carrier can and cannot do, including the carrier's liabilities and contractual agreements.

Express B/L: Non-negotiable B/L where there are no hard copies of originals printed.

Optional Discharge B/L: B/L covering cargo with more than one discharge point option possibility.

Government agency charged with enforcing the rules passed to protect the country's import and export revenues.

A modem version of the old term "forecastle," or bow section of the ship, where the crew lived.

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

To make fast; safe; the completion of a drill or exercise on board ship.

A sudden change. The longitudinal dip of the vessel's main deck.

Measure time onboard ship. One bell sounds for each half hour. One bell means 12:30, two bells mean 1:00, three bells mean 1:30, and so on until 4:00 (eight bells). At 4:30 the cycle begins again with one bell.

The part of a rope hanging loose.

The force that holds a vessel upright or returns it to upright if keeled over. Weight in the lower hold increases stability. A vessel is stiff if it has high stability, tender if it has low stability.

The rod connecting the disc to the lever on a valve.

A large wave.