Human, Cultural, Historical and Reference

Seafaring Life, Education, Professions and Institutions glossary

The people who crew, design, broker, survey, and support ships and the institutions that train and care for them: the sociology of the seafarer (demographics, welfare, women at sea, abandonment), maritime education including the World Maritime University and the IMO model courses, the learned bodies (Nautical Institute, IMarEST, RINA, SNAME, ICS), the ancillary professions and maritime clusters, and seafarer welfare organizations such as Stella Maris and ISWAN.

260 defined terms.

Showing 250 on this page (page 1 of 2).

A

Able Seaman: STCW-rated deck rating qualified beyond ordinary seaman.
Anglo-Eastern Univan Group: Hong Kong-based ship management and seafarer training group.
Annual Crew Wage Settlement: ITF and JNG negotiated international rates.
Anti-Piracy Training: BMP5 and onboard drills for high-risk areas.
Apostleship of the Sea: Catholic seafarers' welfare organization, now Stella Maris.
Apprentice Pilot: Trainee marine pilot under deep-sea pilotage training.
Apprenticeship Indentures: Historical British seafaring training contracts.
ARPA Operator Certificate: STCW-required radar plotting qualification.
Australian Maritime College: Specialist maritime university campus at Launceston, part of UTAS.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority Training Standards: National seafarer certification scheme.

B

Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO): Trade association founded 1905 in Copenhagen.
Boatswain (Bosun): Senior deck rating responsible for deck maintenance and crew supervision.
Bridge resource management: BRM, team-based bridge watchkeeping discipline.
British Merchant Navy: UK merchant fleet, awarded the prefix Merchant Navy by George V in 1922.
Brunel University Marine Engineering: UK academic provider.
BSc (Hons) Nautical Science: Degree pathway for deck officer cadets.
Buenos Aires Maritime Cluster: Argentine port-city seafaring community.
Bulk Carrier Master: Senior officer commanding a dry-bulk vessel.
Bunker Surveyor: Independent surveyor certifying bunker quantity and quality.
Busan Maritime Cluster: Korean port-city maritime industry hub.

C

Cadet: Trainee deck or engine officer.
California Maritime Academy: Vallejo campus of the California State University system.
Cape Town Maritime Cluster: South African seafaring and ship-repair hub.
Captain Superintendent: Shore-based fleet operations executive.
Cargo Surveyor: Independent inspector of loaded or discharged cargo.
Centre for Maritime Studies, Singapore: NUS-based maritime research center.
Chartered Shipbroker: ICS member qualified by FICS examination.
Chief Engineer: Senior engineer in charge of machinery.
Chief Officer: Senior deck officer, second in command.
Classification Society Surveyor: Inspector employed by an IACS or non-IACS class society.

D

Deck Cadet: Trainee deck officer in initial sea phase.
Deck Officer: Navigation-watchkeeping officer holding an STCW deck CoC.
Deck Rating: Non-officer crew member of the deck department.
Defense Sea Transportation Service: US wartime predecessor of MSC.
Det Norske Veritas Academy: Training arm of DNV.
Diploma in Marine Engineering: Polytechnic engineering pathway in India and Singapore.
Distance Learning Maritime Programs: Lloyd's Maritime Academy and others.
Dock Worker: Cargo handler, organized in unions such as the ILA and ILWU.
Dual-Officer Cadet Programme: Combined deck and engine training.
Dubai Maritime City: Purpose-built maritime cluster in the UAE.

E

Educational and Training Centres of Excellence: IMO Model Course-aligned institutions worldwide.
Electro-Technical Officer (ETO): STCW-regulated specialty for shipboard electrical and electronic systems.
Engine Rating: Non-officer engine-room crew member.
Engineer Officer of the Watch: STCW certification for the engine-room watchkeeping officer.
English Heritage Maritime Trades: Preserved skills of shipwrights and riggers.
ESN, European Shortsea Network: European industry network.
European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA): Industry body in Brussels.
European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA): EU agency for maritime safety based in Lisbon.
Examiner of Masters and Mates: Statutory officer historically at the UK Board of Trade.
Extra Master: Highest historical UK Board of Trade deck qualification.

F

Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA): International industry federation.
Fishery Training: National fisheries training schools such as Norway's Vardo college.
Fleet Manager: Shore-based ship-operations executive.
Fleet Personnel Officer: Manning function in shipowner offices.
Flight School to Sea: Comparative analogy used in cadet recruitment.
Flying Angel: Symbol of the Mission to Seafarers.
FONASBA Standard Liner and General Agency Agreements: Industry-standard agency contracts.
Forensic Marine Surveyor: Specialist for casualty investigations.
Frigate Officer Training: Royal Navy and other navy officer pipelines.
Future-Ready Maritime Workforce: Singapore MPA workforce program.

G

General Cargo Master: Master of multipurpose vessels.
General Purpose (GP) Rating: Combined deck and engine rating common in Asian fleets.
Genoa Maritime Cluster: Italian port-city industry hub.
Glasgow School of Naval Architecture: University of Strathclyde naval architecture department.
GMDSS Operator Certificate: STCW endorsement for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System radio operators.
Government Marine Inspector: Flag-state inspection officer such as USCG marine inspectors.
Greek Maritime Cluster: Piraeus-anchored shipowner community.
Greenwich Maritime Centre: University of Greenwich research center.
Gross Earnings Surveys: ISWAN seafarer welfare surveys.
Guarantee Engineer: New-build manufacturer's representative.

H

Hapag-Lloyd Maritime Training: In-house training programs of Hamburg-based liner operator.
Harbor Pilot: Compulsory pilot for port entry and departure.
Harbour master: Statutory authority for port operations.
Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA): Greek industry voluntary environmental association.
High-Risk Area Training: BMP5 anti-piracy training requirement.
HMNZS Philomel Training Base: Royal New Zealand Navy training establishment.
Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board: Hong Kong industry promotion body.
Hong Kong Maritime Cluster: Long-established Asian maritime services hub.
Hospital Ships and Floating Hospitals: Mercy Ships and others.
Hot work permit: Yard/onboard permit before welding/cutting.

I

IMarEST: Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, London, founded 1889.
IMLI: IMO International Maritime Law Institute in Malta, founded 1988.
IMO Model Course: Standardized training course documents published by the IMO.
International Bargaining Forum: ITF-JNG negotiating forum for crew wages.
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS): Global trade association of national shipowner associations.
International Federation of Shipmasters' Associations (IFSMA): Global federation of master mariner associations.
International Maritime Employers' Council (IMEC): Employer side of IBF negotiations.
International Maritime Pilots' Association (IMPA): Global federation of marine pilots.
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF): Global union federation including seafarers.
ISWAN: International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network, registered UK charity.

J

Japan Marine United Cadet Programme: Japanese shipbuilder training program.
JNCC Maritime Wildlife Guidance: UK statutory guidance affecting seafarer training.
Joint Negotiating Group (JNG): Employer side of IBF talks.
Jolly Boatmen: Historic shore-boat operators in major ports.
Joseph Conrad Sail Training Heritage: Mystic Seaport's iron sailing ship used for training.
Junior Engineer: Entry-level engine officer rank.
Junior Watchkeeping Officer: Initial deck-officer position.
Just-In-Time Pilot Boarding: Industry trend reducing port-area emissions.
Justice and Maritime Labour: ILO sectoral programs.
JWC, Joint War Committee: Lloyd's market body listing high-risk areas.

K

Kalmar Maritime Academy: Linnaeus University maritime campus in Sweden.
Kasidi (Kenya Maritime Authority): Kenyan national maritime administration.
Keelhauling Folk Memory: Historic Dutch naval punishment surviving only in language.
KFY Shipping Cluster: Korean shipbuilder ecosystem of Ulsan and Geoje.
King Point USMMA: United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Kobe Maritime Cluster: Japanese port-city maritime community.
Korean Register Academy: Class society training arm.
Krew Welfare Initiatives: ISWAN and Sailors' Society programs.
Kuratorium fur Maritime Wirtschaft: German maritime industry body.
KVH Maritime Communications Training: Vendor training programs.

L

Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry: Flag-state registry administrator.
Liner Conference Officers: Historic profession of liner-trade managers.
Liverpool John Moores University Maritime Centre: UK maritime academic programs.
Lloyd's Maritime Academy: London-based maritime professional education provider.
Lloyd's Register Group: Founded 1760, UK class and assurance organization.
London Maritime Cluster: World-leading professional services hub.
London Shipping Law Centre: London-based academic-professional body.
Longshore Worker: US term for dock workers.
LPG Tanker Specialist: STCW V/1-2 endorsement.
LR Foundation Training Grants: Heritage of Lloyd's Register Foundation funding.

M

Maersk Training: Group-owned global maritime training provider.
Maine Maritime Academy: US state maritime academy at Castine.
Marine Engineer Officer: STCW-certified engine-room officer.
Marine Insurance Surveyor: Loss-adjusting professional.
Marine Pilot: Compulsory pilot for ports and confined waters.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy: US state maritime academy at Buzzards Bay.
Master Mariner: Holder of an STCW unlimited deck Certificate of Competency.
Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC): USCG advisory committee.
Mission to Seafarers: Anglican seafarers' welfare society founded 1856.
Motor Engineer's Cert: STCW engine-officer qualification.

N

Nautical Institute: London-based professional body for navigators, founded 1972.
Naval Architect: Engineer specializing in ship design, often RINA-qualified.
Naval Postgraduate School Maritime Programs: US Monterey graduate school.
NIPER, Nigerian Institute of Maritime Studies: Regional maritime training provider.
NIPER, Nigerian Institute of Petroleum: Includes marine and tanker programs.
NorShipping Education Pavilion: Recurring maritime education exhibition.
Norwegian Shipowners' Association: Industry body in Oslo.
NSCC Nautical Sciences: Nova Scotia Community College maritime program.
NUS Centre for Maritime Studies: Singapore academic research center.
NYK Line Cadet Programme: Long-running Japanese cadet pipeline.

O

Ocean Technology Foundation Programs: STEM-to-sea pipeline initiatives.
Officer of the Watch (OOW): STCW certified navigation watchkeeper.
OICOSE, Officers' International Co-operative for Sailors' Education: Generic term.
Oily Water Separator Operator: Engine-rating training topic.
Operations Manager (Shipping): Ship operations role in commercial departments.
Ordinary Seaman: Entry-level deck rating.
Oslo Maritime Cluster: Norwegian capital's maritime services hub.
Outline of Continuing Professional Development: Required by Nautical Institute.
Owner's Superintendent: Shore-based technical or marine superintendent.
Oxford Maritime Centre, Greenwich Affiliation: Heritage academic body.

P

PandI Club Loss Prevention Manager: Mutual insurance club professional.
Passage Planning: STCW deck-officer competency.
Peer Support Programme: ISWAN initiative for seafarer mental health.
Personnel Office Manning: Shore-based crewing functions.
Philippines Merchant Marine Academy: National maritime academy at San Narciso.
Pilotage District: Statutorily defined area of compulsory pilotage.
Piraeus Maritime Cluster: Greek shipping hub.
Port Captain: Shore-based marine operations role.
Port Engineer: Shore-based technical operations role.
Portuguese Naval Academy: Officer training establishment.

Q

QHSE Manager: Shipping company role in quality, health, safety, environment.
Qualifications and Credit Framework, MNTB: UK Merchant Navy Training Board framework.
Qualified Member of the Engineering Department (QMED): US Coast Guard engine rating endorsement.
Quartermaster: Helmsman on watch.
Quartermaster's Log: Historic deck record.
Quaternary Marine Engineering: Term used in Indian DGS classifications.
Quay Crane Operator: Trained container terminal worker.
Quayside Welfare Centre: Mission to Seafarers facility.
Queensland Maritime Industry Training: TAFE Queensland program.
Quincy Maritime Training: Heritage program at the closed Quincy yard.

R

Radio Officer: Historic STCW radio operator role superseded by GMDSS operators.
Recognised Organisation: Class society delegated statutory work by a flag state.
Recognized Maritime Education and Training Institution: EMSA-listed centers.
Reefer Engineer: Specialist in refrigerated cargo systems.
Regional Maritime University: Accra-based regional institution serving West African states.
Rigger: Skilled trade in standing and running rigging.
RINA: Royal Institution of Naval Architects, London, founded 1860.
River Pilot: Pilot for inland waterways such as the Elbe or Mississippi.
Rotterdam Maritime Cluster: Dutch port-city service hub.
Royal Belgian Shipowners' Association: Industry body in Antwerp.

S

Safety officer: Designated officer for occupational safety on board.
Sailors' Society: International seafarers' welfare society, founded 1818.
SAMSA: South African Maritime Safety Authority.
Seafarer's Identity Document: ILO Convention 185 identity document.
Second Engineer: Engine department officer below chief engineer.
Second Officer: Deck officer typically responsible for navigation equipment and charts.
Shanghai Maritime University: Major Chinese maritime higher-education institution.
Shipbroker: Intermediary in chartering and sale-and-purchase.
Singapore Maritime Foundation: Industry-funded promotional and educational body.
SNAME: Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, US-based.

T

Tanker Specialist Endorsement: STCW V/1-1 for oil and chemical tankers.
Technical Superintendent: Shore-based ship maintenance manager.
Third Engineer: Engine-room officer below the second engineer.
Third Officer: Deck officer typically responsible for safety equipment.
Tokyo Maritime Cluster: Japanese capital's maritime services hub.
Trade Union, Seafarer: National unions such as RMT and Nautilus International.
Training Record Book: STCW required cadet record.
Trinity House: General Lighthouse Authority and deep-sea pilotage body, chartered 1514.
Tug Master: Skilled professional master of a tug.
Turkish Maritime Cluster: Istanbul-based maritime services concentration.

U

UK PandI Club: London-based protection and indemnity mutual.
Underwriting Agent, Marine: Lloyd's market professional.
United States Coast Guard Academy: New London officer training establishment.
United States Merchant Marine Academy: King's Point federal academy.
University Maritime Advisory Services (UMAS): UCL-affiliated maritime research consultancy.
University of Plymouth Maritime Faculty: UK maritime academic provider.
Unmanned Surface Vehicle Operator: Emerging maritime profession.
Upper Yard Sailor: Historic able seaman skilled at working highest yards.
Urgent Medical Care at Sea: Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service (TMAS) network.
USCG Merchant Mariner Credential: US national seafarer license.

V

Vessel Examiner: USCG-licensed inspector role.
Vessel Manager: Third-party ship management executive.
Vetting Inspector (SIRE): OCIMF SIRE 2.0 inspector.
Victualling Officer: Stores officer historically on Royal Navy and large merchant ships.
Vincent Mungai Foundation: Sample of regional seafarer welfare initiative.
Visby Maritime Cluster: Swedish island maritime hub.
Volga Shipping Cluster: Russian inland maritime community.
Voluntary Service Award Schemes: National long-service awards.
Voyage Manager: Commercial role coordinating voyage logistics.
VTS Operator: Vessel Traffic Service operator under IALA V-103 training.

W

Warsash Maritime School: Solent University college for officer education.
Watchkeeping: STCW Chapter VIII deck and engine watchkeeping standards.
Welfare Visitor: Mission to Seafarers and Stella Maris ship visitor.
Welsh Maritime Industries: National industry body.
Western Australia Maritime Training Centre: Fremantle facility.
Wheelhouse Watchkeeper: Deck-rating helm function.
WMU: World Maritime University, IMO's postgraduate institution in Malmo, Sweden.
World Maritime Day: Annual IMO commemoration on the last Thursday of September.
Worldwide Welfare Work, ISWAN: International seafarer welfare projects.
Wuhan University of Technology Maritime Programs: Chinese inland-waterway emphasis.

X

Xanten University Limes Maritime Program: Roman-frontier maritime history teaching.
Xerion Shipping Academy: Generic example of private cadet training provider.
Xerox of Continuous Discharge Certificate: Historical practice for seafarer record.
Xiamen Maritime Cluster: Chinese coastal maritime services hub.
Xiamen Maritime College: Chinese maritime training institution.
Xinde Marine News: Chinese maritime industry media.
Xinhua Maritime Coverage: Chinese state media's maritime reporting.
Xixia Inland Boat Tradition: Chinese inland boat training heritage.
XO (Executive Officer): Second in command of a warship.
Xunta de Galicia Maritime Department: Spanish regional maritime authority.

Y

Yangon Maritime Training Centre: Myanmar national training provider.
Yangshan Maritime Cluster: Shanghai's deep-water port cluster.
Yangzhou Maritime Polytechnic: Chinese provincial training institution.
Yard Apprenticeship: Shipyard trades training pathway.
YOC, Young Officer of the Watch: Initial OOW endorsement.
Yokohama Sea Cadet Corps: Japanese youth maritime program.
Yorkshire Mariners' Charity: UK seafarer welfare body.
Yotta Bytes Maritime Data: Reference to digital workforce skills.
Young Mariners' Programs: Sea Scouts and Sea Cadets.
Yuan Shipowners Association: Generic example of national association.

Explore the Human, Cultural, Historical and Reference portal