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
- An able seaman (AB) is an experienced deck rating who has progressed beyond the entry-level ordinary seaman. ABs stand navigational and mooring watches, act as lookout and helmsman, and carry out the deck maintenance and seamanship tasks that keep the ship running.
- seafarersdeckhigh confidence
- AframaxAframax tanker
- Aframax is a tanker size class of roughly 80,000 to 120,000 tonnes deadweight. The name comes from the Average Freight Rate Assessment (AFRA) system, and these medium-sized tankers carry crude oil and products on shorter and regional routes.
- ship-typescommercialhigh confidence
- Anchorbower anchor · sheet anchor
- An anchor is a heavy device, connected to the ship by a chain cable, that is lowered to the seabed to hold the vessel in position against wind and current. Its holding power comes from digging into the bottom and from the weight and lie of the cable.
- seamanshipengineeringoperationshigh confidence
- Anchorage
- An anchorage is an area of water, often designated by the port or coastal authority, where ships may anchor safely — for example while waiting for a berth, orders, tide, bunkers or inspection. A good anchorage offers shelter, room to swing and reliable holding ground.
- portsoperationsnavigationhigh confidence
- Automatic Identification SystemAIS
- AIS is the Automatic Identification System, a VHF radio system that automatically broadcasts a ship's identity, position, course and speed to nearby vessels and shore stations. It aids collision avoidance, traffic monitoring and ship tracking.
- navigationsafetyregulationhigh confidence