A mallet used for passing serving around a line.

As provided in the Shipping Act of 1984, a contract between a shipper (or a shippers association) and an ocean common carrier (or conference) in which the shipper makes a commitment to provide a certain minimum quantity of cargo or freight revenue over a ...

A penalty charge against shippers or consignees for delaying carrier's equipment beyond allowed time. Demurrage applies to cargo; detention applies to equipment. See Per Diem.

Rope made of the fibers of the hemp plant and used for small stuff or less than 24 thread (1.75 inch circumference). (Rope is measured by circumference, wire by diameter.)

imposes a 50-percent tariff on maintenance and repair work done on U.S.-flag vessels in foreign shipyards. Also, U.S.-flag vessels must either be built in the United States or have been a U.S.-flag vessel for at least 3 years to be eligible to carry prefe ...

A unit of volume. A US gallon has 231 cubic inches or 3,785 liters.

A boat owner's private pennant.

Sailing upwind so close to the wind that the forward edge of the sail is stalling or luffing, reducing the power generated by the sail and the angle of heel. Also known as pinching.

To repeat an order for information to the crew.

A colorless odorless very poisonous gas formed by the incomplete burning of carbon. Found in some ambient air conditions.

Abbreviation for "Over, Short or Damaged" Usually discovered at cargo unloading.

An ornamental carved and painted figure on the stem of the vessel.

Letters, numbers, and other symbols placed on cargo packages to facilitate identification. Also known as marks.

Ties used to tie up the sails when they are furled to the boom or yards.

Order given to a boat's crew when going alongside under oars. Denotes that boat has sufficient way, and that oars are to be placed inside the boat.

A knot used to tie two lines together.

Reversing the position of an object or line.

Ice extending seaward from land to which it is attached.

The official who is in charge of a harbor, enforcing all its applicable regulations.

A large, swelling wave. To surge a rope or cable, is to slack it up suddenly where it renders round a pin, or round the windlass or capstan.urge ho! The notice given when a cable is to be surged.