Floating at random; not fastened by and kind of mooring; at the mercy of winds and currents; loose from normal anchorage. A vessel is said to be adrift when she breaks away from her moorings, warfs, and so on.Uncontrolled movement at sea under the influence of current, tide or windThe state of a ship broken from her moorings, and driving about without control.  … [Read more...]

Admiral an officer of very high rank in the navy. This Word Comes from the Arabic "Emir" or "Amir" which means "First commander" and "Albahr which means "the sea". Emir-al-barh evolved into Admiral. … [Read more...]

A term applied to a portable flight of steps suspended over the side of a vessel from a gangway to a point near the water, providing an easy means of access from a small boat. Accommodation Ladders are usually supplied with two platforms, one at each end. Sometimes called gangway ladder.Ladder attached to platform at vessel's side with flat steps and handrails enabling persons to embark/disembark from water or shore … [Read more...]

Abeam of (alongside of). The situation of two or more ships lying with their sides parallel, and their heads equally advanced; in which case they are abreast of each other. Abreast of any place, means off or directly opposite to it. … [Read more...]

An experienced deck-department seaman qualified to perform routine sea duties. The next grade above the beginning grade of an ordinary seaman in the deck crew. Commonly called as "AB" on board the ship. … [Read more...]

The bearing of an object 90 degrees from ahead (in a line with the middle of the vessel) … [Read more...]

To evacuate crew and passengers from a vessel following a distress. Get away from the ship, as in an emergency. … [Read more...]

Said of the bearing of an object which bears between the beam and the stern (further back than the ship's middle). … [Read more...]

A  relative term used to describe the location of one object in relation to another, in which the object described is farther aft than the other. Thus, the mainmast is abaft the foremast (in back of). … [Read more...]

Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System: a worldwide voluntary system operated exclusively to support SAR and to make information available to all RCCs. … [Read more...]