any loss of performance due to the presence of contamination. Two basic types of contamination failure are: Perceptible -- gradual loss of efficiency or performance, and Catastrophic -- dramatic, unexpected failure.

Also known as (U.S.) Federal Bill of Lading Act of 1916. U.S. federal law enacting conditions by which a B/L may be issued. Penalties for issuing B/L's containing false data include monetary fines and/or imprisonment.

A rate applicable to or from a group of points.- A special rate applicable to several different articles in a single shipment.

Abnormal, rapid reciprocating movement of the disc on the seat of a pressure relief valve.

Port where cargo is unloaded and enters a country.

The bank that adds its confirmation to another bank's (the issuing bank's) letter of credit and promises to pay the beneficiary upon presentation of documents specified in the letter of credit.

A representation on a plane surface of the spherical surface of the earth. The equivalent of a map for use by navigators.

The North Star; visible in the northern hemisphere and indicates the direction of north. In the southern hemisphere the Southern Cross is used to find the direction of south.

Length of chain used for putting around logs or steel products.

National flag or insignia flown by a ship at sea.

A line drawn on a chart, as a result of a bearing, along which the boat is positioned

A metal plate, strap, or rod bolted to the hull structure to which the lower ends of shrouds and stays are attached

A region of relatively shallow water surrounding a land mass where the depth increases gradually before it plunges into the deeps of the ocean.

Finely-divided water swept from crest of waves by strong winds.

Cargo that will fit into a container and result in an economical shipment.

The process of declaring the importation of foreign-made goods into the United States for use in the United States.

A device for issuing fog signals, used for giving a warning of a vessel's presence in fog. These signals are also made by lighthouses.

A set of radio, sound, and visual signals designed to aid in communications between vessels without language problems. It can be used with Morse Code, with signal pennants, and by spoken code letters.

Openings in a ship's hull for ventilation, light and other purposes.

A power or sailing boat used by pi-lots (men who have local knowledge of navigation hazards of ports).