Maritime Glossary
Source-cited definitions for shipping, engineering, navigation, and regulatory terminology. Confidence-scored and verified against primary IMO, IHO, and industry sources.
- Able SeamanAB
- A deck rating holding a certificate of competency to serve as a watchkeeping member of the deck crew.
- seafarersdeckhigh confidence
- Anchorbower anchor · sheet anchor
- A heavy metal device attached to the ship by chain cable and dropped to the seabed to hold the vessel in position.
- seamanshipengineeringoperationshigh confidence
- Anchorage
- A designated area of water where vessels may anchor, typically outside a port fairway.
- portsoperationsnavigationhigh confidence
- Automatic Identification SystemAIS
- A VHF transponder system that broadcasts a vessel's identity, position, speed, and course to nearby ships and shore stations.
- navigationsafetyregulationhigh confidence