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Standard Marine Communication Phrases & Glossary
The IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) builds on basic knowledge of the English language. It is a simplified version of Maritime English intended to reduce grammatical, lexical and idiomatic varieties to a tolerable minimum, using standardised structures for the sake of its function aspects, i.e. diminishing misunderstanding in safety-related verbal communications, thereby endeavouring to reflect present Maritime English language usage onboard vessels and in ship-to-shore/ship-to-ship communications."
Communicative features of Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) are used in Maritime English, to further avoid misunderstandings and prevent the effects of disturbance. The features can be formed as instructions to:
- Avoid synonyms.
- Avoid contracted forms.
- Provide fully worded answers to "yes/no"-questions and basic alternative answers to sentence questions.
- Provide one phrase for one event.
- During warnings, emergencies or in generally pressured situations, avoid using (or use sparingly) function words such as; a/an & is/are
- Avoid conditionals.
The IMO guide to SMCP also suggests a phrase to indicate that the SMCP should be used:
- “Please use Standard Marine Communication Phrases."
The correct reply being:
- "I will use Standard Marine Communication Phrases."
However, SMCP is a vast system of standardised phrases. This course in Maritime English will not give an inclusive overview of the SMCP.
Notes on a Not-So Chatty Language
Maritime English is not mainly a friendly or social language – the idea is to keep communication precise in all situations. The key objective is to understand & be understood plus take & give orders. Therefore, aspects of what can be conceived as polite and respectful are downplayed. This might take some time to get used to.
In a real-life situation or an emergency, we tend to have the worst conditions for communication. If Maritime English skills are well-rehearsed and in our bones, we can fall back on the use of a language that is more likely to be understood correctly.
Official IMO publication.
Glossary
Below are a few common examples of the SMCP glossary. A full version can be viewed in the attached PDF.
Abandon Vessel - To evacuate all persons on board due to an emergency.
Accommodation Ladder - Ladder with handrails used to board or leave the ship from water or shore.
Air Draft - The height from the waterline to the highest point of the vessel.
Assembly Station - A certain place on the deck where persons onboard gather when an emergency alarm rings. The muster list points out where different crew should go.
Berth - Sufficient distance & sea room for manoeuvring a ship or the place assigned to a vessel when anchored or lying alongside a pier.
Boarding Arrangements - All equipment is necessary for the safe transfer of the pilot. Can be a pilot ladder, accommodation ladder, hoist, etc.
Briefing - Concise explanatory information to crew and/or passengers.
Damage Control Team - A group of crew members trained to fight flooding in the vessel.
Datum - The most probable position of a search target at a given time, or the point of reference that is used when measuring the depth on charts.
Distress Alert (GMDSS) - A radio signal from a distressed vessel, is automatically directed to an MRCC. The radio signal gives information about the position, identification, course, and speed of the vessel as well as the nature of distress.
Draft - The depth of water that a vessel draws.
EPIRB - Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. A device to alert search and rescue services.
Escape Route - A clearly marked way in the vessel that has to be followed in case of an emergency.
ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival
ETD - Estimated Time of Departure
Flooding - A major flow of seawater into the vessel.
General Emergency Alarm - A sound signal of seven short blasts and one prolonged blast. The alarm is given with the vessel’s sound system.