Standard Marine Communication Phrases and Glossary

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 the 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."

A proper reply is:

• "I will use Standard Marine Communication Phrases."

However, SMCP is a vast system of standardized 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 and be understood, take, and 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. 

Glossary

Words in this glossary are a light version of the SMCP glossary. A full version can be downloaded here.

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 on board gather when an emergency alarm rings. The muster list points out where different crews 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 a safe transfer of the pilot. Can be a pilot ladder, accommodation ladder, hoist, etc.

Briefing 

Concise explanatory information to crew and/or passengers

Bunkering

The supplying of fuel for use by ships, including shipboard logistics of loading fuel and distributing it among available bunker tanks.

Damage Control Team

A group of crew members trained for fighting flooding in the vessel

Datum 

The most probable position of a search target at a given time or the point of reference 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.

Distress/Urgency Traffic 

The verbal exchange of information on the radio from ship to shore, ship to ship, or ship to aircraft about a distress or urgency situation. 

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 marked way in the vessel which has to be followed in case of an emergency

Escort 

A vessel, like an ice-breaker or tug, that is available in case of need

ETA 

Estimated Time of Arrival 

ETD

Estimated Time of Departure 

Fire Patrol 

A member of the crew goes around the vessel at certain intervals to promptly detect any fires. Fire patrol is mandatory in vessels carrying more than 36 passengers 

Flooding 

A major flow of seawater into the vessel.

Fire Monitor

Fixed foam/powder/water cannon shooting fire extinguishing agents on tank deck, manifold, etc.

General Emergency Alarm 

A sound signal of seven short blasts, and one prolonged blast. The alarm is given with the vessel’s sound system.

GMDSS 

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.

(D) GPS 

(Differential) Global (satellite) Positioning System.

Hatchrails 

Ropes supported by stanchions around an open hatch. Prevents persons from falling into a hole.

Hoist

A cable used by helicopters for lifting or lowering persons in a pickup operation.

IMO

International Maritime Organization.

IMO-Class 

Group of dangerous or hazardous goods, harmful substances or marine pollutants in sea transport as classified in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).

Inert

To reduce the oxygen in an oil tank by inerting gas to avoid an explosive atmosphere.

Inoperative 

Not functioning.

Jettison

Throwing goods overboard to lighten the vessel, or to improve its stability in an emergency. “To Jettison cargo.”

Leeward 

The general direction to which the wind blows. Leeward is the opposite of windward.

Leeway 

The angular effect on the vessel's course is caused by the prevailing wind.

List

The inclination of the vessel to the port side or starboard side.

Make Water

Seawater that flows into the vessel due to hull damage, or hatches awash and not properly closed.

Manifold

A chamber with valves, working as a connection point for tanks and pipelines. The manifold makes it possible for several pumps to draw from, or deliver to, a given place through one pipeline.

Moor

To secure a vessel with wires, ropes, or anchors, to limit the vessel's movement. 

MRCC / Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre

Land-based authority. Responsible for promoting efficient organization of maritime search and rescue, and for coordinating search and rescue operations.

Muster

To assemble crew, passengers, or both in a special place for purposes of checking.

Muster List 

List of the crew, passengers, and all on board and their functions in distress or drill.

Ordnance Exercise 

Naval firing practice with military supplies – stay clear.

Polluter 

A vessel emitting harmful substances into the air or spilling oil into the sea.

Preventers 

Ropes or wires attached to derricks prevent them from swinging during cargo handling operations.

PA-System/Public Address System

Loudspeakers in the vessel's cabins, mess rooms, and on deck. Important information can be broadcasted from a central point, mostly from the navigation bridge, through the PA system.

Recover

To pick up shipwrecked persons.

Refloat

To pull a vessel off after grounding, and/or to set afloat again. 

Rendez-Vous 

An appointment between vessels is normally made on the radio to meet in a certain area or position.

Restricted Area 

A space on a ship is only permitted for authorized crew members due to safety reasons.

Resume

To re-start a voyage, service, or search.

Retreat Signal 

A sound or visual signal to order a team to return to its base.

Roll Call 

The act of checking who of the passengers and crew members are present. Done e.g. at assembly stations, by reading aloud a list of their names.

SAR

Search and Rescue.

Search Pattern 

A pattern according to which vessels and/or aircraft may conduct a coordinated search.

Shackle 

Standard length (15 fathoms) of an anchor cable.

Slings 

Ropes, nets, and any other means for handling general cargo.

Standing Orders 

Orders of the Master to the officer of the watch which he or she must comply with.

Station 

The place or the duties of each person on board.

Stripping 

Draining tanks of the remaining cargo, water, etc.

TEU 

Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit, the standard container dimension.

TSS/Traffic Separation Scheme

A traffic-management route system ruled by IMO, the International Maritime Organization, is a way to manage maritime traffic. The scheme keeps streams of traffic separate and establishes traffic lanes. 

Transit 

The passage of a vessel through a canal, fairway, etc. 

Transit Speed 

Speed of a vessel required for the passage through a canal, fairway, etc.

Underway 

A vessel that is not at anchor made fast to the shore, or aground.

Union Purchase 

A common method of cargo handling is by combining two derricks, one of which is fixed over the quay, the other over the hatchway.

Unlit 

When the light characteristics of a buoy or a lighthouse aren’t functioning.

UTC

Universal Time Co-ordinated, ex GMT, a standardized form for time.

Variable (of winds) 

When the wind is permanently changing the direction from which it blows. 

VTS/Vessel Traffic Services

Traffic information and service to maritime traffic in heavily trafficked or environmentally sensitive areas, to improve the safety and efficiency of vessel traffic.

Veering (of winds) 

Shifting of wind direction in a manner, in time; opposite of backing. 

Veer Out 

To let out a greater length of cable.

VHF 

Very High Frequency (30–300 MHz), referring to radio frequencies.

Windward 

The general direction from which the wind blows; is opposite of leeward.

Wreck 

A vessel that has been destroyed or sunk or abandoned at sea.

VTS/Vessel Traffic Services Specific Terms

Fairway

The navigable part of a waterway.

Fairway Speed 

The mandatory speed in a specific fairway.

ITZ/Inshore Traffic Zone

A routing measure comprising a designated area between the landward boundary of a TSS and the adjacent coast.

Manoeuvring Speed 

A vessel’s reduced rate of speed in restricted waters such as fairways or harbours.

Receiving point 

A mark or place at which a vessel comes under the obligatory entry, transit, or escort procedure.

Reference Line 

A fictive line is displayed on the radar screens and electronic sea charts. It separates the fairway for inbound and outbound vessels so that they can safely pass each other.

Reporting Point 

A mark or position at which a vessel is required to report to the local VTS-Station to establish its position.

Separation Zone/Separation Line 

A zone or line separating the traffic lanes in which vessels are proceeding in opposite or nearly opposite directions. Can also separate a traffic lane from the adjacent sea area, or create zones for classes of vessels proceeding in the same direction.

Traffic Clearance 

VTS authorization for a vessel to proceed under conditions specified.

Traffic Lane

An area within defined limits in which one-way traffic is established.

VTS-Area 

Area controlled by a VTS-Centre or VTS-Station.