A low headroom space below decks used for provisions or spare parts, or miscellaneous storage.

A single block such as a snatch block used as a fairlead to bring a line in a more favorable direction.

The names of battles or individual ship actions in which a warship has taken part, usually displayed in a prominent place on a ship as a source of pride in her name. Known as Battle Stars in the U.S. Navy.

A sailor's paradise where amusements were plentiful, and the women were accommodating.

A stationary, spirally shaped passage that converts velocity head to pressure.

The tide with the least variation in water level, occurring when the moon is one quarter and three quarters full. The lowest high tide and the highest low tide occur at neap tide. The opposite is the spring tide.

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 ...

Also known as LTL or LCL.

The process of coating one metal with another, ordinarily applied to the coating of iron or steel with zinc. The chief purpose of galvanizing is to prevent corrosion.

The gauge pressure at which a pressure vessel is maintained in normal operation.

A document that establishes the terms of a contract between a shipper and a transportation company. It serves as a document of title, a contract of carriage and a receipt for goods.

Abbreviation for (1) "Interstate Commerce Commission," (2) "International Chamber of Commerce."

A phrase preceding the signature of a drawer or endorser of a negotiable instrument; signifies that the instrument is passed onto subsequent holders without any liability to the endorser in the event of nonpayment or nondelivery.

Merchant Navy nickname for seaman whose turn of duty it is to keep the mess clean.

A charge made for a service performed in a carrier's terminal area.

The ratio of the vapor pressure to the saturated vapor pressure at the temperature considered.

A device used to keep a person afloat. Also called a life preserver, life vest, PFD or personal floatation device.

The top of the mast

On or in a ship.

(1) Term describing the status of seamen, corresponding to rank in the case of officers. (2) A method of measuring a yacht's expected performance relative to another yacht while racing. Over the years many formulas have been experimented with, in order to ...