The flat circular piece secured on the top of the mast.

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.

Delay in Startup Insurance is a policy to protect the seller of a construction project from penalties if the project is not completed on time. See "Liquidated Damages."

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.

Sailing with three sheet ropes running free, thus making the ship barely able to keep headway and control. Drunk.

At right angles to the fore-and-aft line of the vessel (sideways-across).