A distress call made by a vessel requiring assistance. These three letters were chosen because they were easy to make and read using Morse Code. Some believe the letters meant "Save Our Ship" or "Save Our Souls".

A load sufficient in size to fill a container either by cubic measurement or by weight.

Effective June 18, 1984, describes the law covering water transportation in the U.S. foreign trade.

To measure the depth of the water with a lead. Also said of a whale when it dives to the bottom.

An able-bodied seamen entrusted with the steering of a vessel when entering or leaving a harbor. He is also involved with the use and upkeep of navigational equipment.

Said of a vessel's anchor, or cable when the amount of cable out is not more than one-and-a-half times the depth of water.

Running directly before wind and sea.

Is the temperature at which oil begins to flow under prescribed conditions.

Old sailor's term for a flat calm with no wind.

Shipped under a rate that includes costs of delivery to and the loading onto a carrier at a specified point.

All matter consists of molecules which are in constant motion, but which are held together by molecular forces. In a solid the molecules are closely packed and arranged in such a pattern that the influence of the molecular forces is very strong. This give ...

On a square-rigged ship, the short pieces of line which hang from the yards and support the footropes on which the topmen stand while working aloft on the sails.

Distinguishing flag of a merchant marine company flown from the mainmast of merchant ships.

A wooden wedge fitting into a drainage hole in the bottom of a boat for the purpose of draining the boat when she is out of water.

The Greek god of the sea.

Machines in which axial vanes slide radially in an eccentrically mounted rotor.

The highest navigation bridge. It usually includes an added set of controls above the level of the normal control station for better visibility.

A weather prediction.

In sailboat racing, the mark or buoy that signifies one side of the starting line, opposite of the race committee boat.

Path through open water used for commercial vessel passage and so noted on chart