Maritime dictionary in 9 languages: deck and engine
Bridge, deck and engine room terms in English, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Latvian, Filipino, Indonesian, Chinese and Croatian, each with a short explanation. For mixed crews and for reading manuals.
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Navigation and bridge
Bridge (navigating bridge)The space from which the ship is navigated and controlled, with the steering, radar, ECDIS and communication equipment.Rudder and helmThe rudder at the stern turns the ship; it is moved by the steering gear from the helm or autopilot on the bridge.ECDIS (electronic chart system)Approved electronic chart system used instead of paper charts; charts and the system software must be kept up to date.Radar and ARPARadar shows targets and coastline; ARPA tracks them and calculates their course, speed and closest approach.CPA and TCPAClosest point of approach to another ship and the time until it; the master's standing orders set the minimum CPA.AIS (automatic identification system)Transmits the ship's name, position, course and speed by VHF and shows the same data from other ships.GMDSSGlobal Maritime Distress and Safety System: VHF, MF/HF, satellite, EPIRB and SART for distress alerting and safety information.Gyro compass and magnetic compassThe gyro shows true north and feeds radar, ECDIS and autopilot; its error is checked every watch, the magnetic compass is the backup.Echo sounder and speed logThe echo sounder measures depth under the keel; the log measures the ship's speed through the water or over the ground.Voyage data recorder (VDR)The ship's “black box”: records position, radar, bridge audio and VHF; after an incident the data must be saved.Passage planBerth-to-berth plan of the voyage with the route, waypoints, safe depths, no-go areas, reporting points and contingency plans.Waypoint and wheel-over pointA waypoint is a point on the planned route where the course changes; the wheel-over point is where the turn must start to reach the new track.Draft (draught) and draft marksDepth of the keel below the waterline, read from the marks at the bow, midships and stern; the mean draft is used for cargo and stability.Freeboard and load lineHeight of the deck edge above the waterline; the load line marks show the deepest the ship may be loaded in each zone and season.Trim and list (heel)Trim is the difference between the drafts aft and forward; list is a steady lean to one side caused by uneven loading.Stability and metacentric height (GM)The ship's ability to return upright; GM must stay above the minimum in the stability booklet at every stage of the voyage.Pilot ladderRope ladder for the pilot to board; it must be rigged and secured exactly as required by SOLAS and checked by a responsible officer.Autopilot (track control)Keeps the heading or track automatically; changing to hand steering must be practised and is required in heavy traffic and pilotage.
Deck, mooring and life-saving
WindlassDeck machine that heaves and lowers the anchor and chain; the band brake holds the chain and the gypsy is disengaged for letting go.Anchor and chain cable (shackles)Chain length is counted in shackles of 27.5 m (15 fathoms); the length paid out is usually several times the depth of water.Mooring winchWinch with drums that hold the mooring lines; the brake holding capacity is tested and adjusted at set intervals.Mooring lines (head, stern, breast, spring)Lines that hold the ship alongside; springs stop movement fore and aft. Never stand in the snap-back zone of a line under tension.Bollard and fairleadA bollard is a post for making lines fast; a fairlead guides the line through the bulwark without chafing.Hatch coverSteel cover that keeps the cargo hold weathertight; seals, cleats and drains are checked and a hose or ultrasonic test is done.Cargo hold and hold cleaningThe space for dry cargo; before loading it must be clean, dry and free of previous cargo residue, often to a surveyor's standard.Deck crane and safe working load (SWL)Never lift more than the SWL marked on the crane and gear; limit switches and wires are inspected and the crane is load-tested every five years.Cargo securing and lashingSecuring cargo against ship movement according to the Cargo Securing Manual; lashings are checked and tightened at sea, especially before bad weather.Gangway and accommodation ladderSafe access between ship and shore with a safety net underneath and a lifebuoy nearby; it is adjusted as the tide and draft change.Lifeboat and davitEnclosed boat for abandoning ship, launched by its davit; the engine is run weekly and the boat is lowered and manoeuvred in drills.Liferaft and hydrostatic releaseInflatable raft in a canister; the hydrostatic release frees it if the ship sinks. It is serviced ashore every year.Rescue boatFast boat for recovering a person from the water and marshalling liferafts; it must be ready for launching within five minutes.Lifejacket and lifebuoyEvery person has a lifejacket with light and whistle; lifebuoys with lights and smoke signals are placed on both sides of the ship.Muster station and muster listThe muster list gives each person's duties and station for each emergency signal; new crew are familiarised before sailing.Man overboardShout, throw a lifebuoy, press the MOB button, keep the person in sight and turn the ship, for example with a Williamson turn.
Engine and propulsion
Main engineThe engine that drives the propeller, usually a large two-stroke or medium-speed four-stroke diesel.Auxiliary engine (generator engine)A diesel engine that drives a generator and supplies the ship's electrical power.CrankshaftShaft that turns the up-and-down movement of the pistons into rotation; its deflection is measured during overhauls.PistonMoving part in the cylinder that takes the combustion pressure; its rings seal against the liner.Cylinder linerReplaceable sleeve in which the piston runs; wear is checked by measuring its bore at set positions.Cylinder head (cylinder cover)Top cover of the cylinder that carries the valves, the fuel injector and the safety valve.Fuel injector (fuel valve)Valve that sprays fuel into the cylinder at high pressure; its opening pressure and spray are tested on a test bench.Fuel injection pumpPump that raises fuel to injection pressure and meters the amount delivered to each cylinder.TurbochargerExhaust-gas turbine driving a compressor that pushes more air into the cylinders; its compressor and turbine side are washed regularly.Scavenge air (charge air)Compressed air from the turbocharger that fills the cylinders and blows out exhaust gas; scavenge spaces are inspected for fire and deposits.Charge air cooler (air cooler)Heat exchanger after the turbocharger that cools the charge air; the pressure drop across it shows fouling.Exhaust valveValve in the cylinder head that lets exhaust gas out; its seat and spindle are ground during overhaul.Governor (speed governor)Device that keeps engine speed constant by adjusting the fuel supply as the load changes.Crankcase explosion and oil mist detectorAn overheated part makes oil mist that can ignite; the oil mist detector stops or slows the engine before that happens.Stern tube and sealTube through the hull in which the propeller shaft runs on bearings; seals at each end keep sea water out and oil in.Thrust bearingBearing that takes the push of the propeller and passes it to the hull.Propeller shaft (tail shaft)The aftermost shaft that carries the propeller; it is drawn and inspected at intervals set by class.
Engine room systems
Purifier (centrifugal separator)Centrifuge that removes water and solid particles from fuel or lube oil before use.SludgeOily residue from purifiers, filters and drains, kept in the sludge tank and recorded in the Oil Record Book.Lubricating oil (lube oil)Oil that forms a film between moving parts and carries heat away; samples are sent ashore for analysis.Heavy fuel oil (HFO)Residual fuel that must be heated for pumping and injection; it is purified on board before use.Marine gas oil (MGO)Light distillate fuel used in emission control areas and for starting and stopping on diesel; it needs no heating.ViscosityHow thick a fuel or oil is, in mm²/s (cSt); the viscosity controller sets the fuel heating to reach the injection value.BunkeringTaking fuel on board; tanks are sounded before and after, samples are taken and the quantity is checked against the delivery note.Sounding (tank sounding)Measuring the liquid level in a tank with a tape or gauge and converting it to volume with the tank table.Settling tank and service (day) tankFuel settles and is drained of water in the settling tank, then the purifier fills the service tank that feeds the engines.Bilge and bilge waterThe lowest part of the engine room where leaks collect; oily bilge water may go overboard only through the oily water separator.Oily water separator (OWS)Equipment that cleans bilge water to 15 ppm oil or less; the oil content meter stops discharge above the limit.Ballast water and treatment systemSea water taken in to keep the ship stable and trimmed; it is treated so that organisms are not carried to other ports.Sewage treatment plantBiological plant that treats toilet and galley waste water before discharge; air blowers keep the bacteria alive.IncineratorFurnace that burns sludge and solid waste on board; burning is not allowed in port or in special areas.Fresh water generator (evaporator)Makes fresh water from sea water, usually by boiling it under vacuum with heat from the engine cooling water.Boiler and exhaust gas boiler (economiser)Produces steam for fuel heating and services; at sea the exhaust gas boiler uses heat from the main engine exhaust.Air compressor and starting airCompressors fill the air receivers, usually to 25–30 bar, for starting the engines; working air is reduced and dried.Heat exchanger (cooler)Passes heat from one liquid to another without mixing them; plate types are opened and cleaned when the temperature difference falls.Sea chestRecess in the hull with a grating through which sea water enters the cooling and fire systems.Jacket cooling waterTreated fresh water that cools the cylinder liners and heads in a closed circuit with an expansion tank.Strainer and filterA strainer stops large debris at a pump suction; a filter catches fine particles. The pressure difference shows when to clean.Centrifugal pumpPump with a rotating impeller for water services; it must be primed and is sealed by a mechanical seal or gland packing.Gear pump (screw pump)Positive displacement pump for oil and fuel; it always needs a relief valve because the outlet must never be closed.Relief valve (safety valve)Opens automatically to release pressure above its set point and protects pumps, vessels and pipes.Non-return valve (check valve)Lets flow pass in one direction only; screw-down non-return valves can also be closed by hand.Butterfly valveQuarter-turn valve with a disc on a spindle, common on sea water, ballast and cooling lines; often remotely operated.Steering gearHydraulic machinery that turns the rudder; it is tested before departure and emergency steering is drilled every three months.
Electrical and automation
Main switchboard (MSB)Switchboard where the main generators are connected and paralleled and from which power goes to all consumers.Emergency switchboard and emergency generatorAbove the main deck, outside the engine room; the emergency generator starts automatically on blackout and is tested weekly.Shore power (shore connection)Supply from the shore during dry dock or lay-up; phase sequence and voltage are checked before closing the shore breaker.Circuit breaker (ACB / MCCB)Switch that opens automatically on overload or short circuit; generator breakers also trip on reverse power.Insulation resistance and meggerResistance between a conductor and earth, measured with a megger at 500 V DC; a falling trend warns of damp or damaged insulation.Earth fault (ground fault)Contact between a live conductor and the hull; on insulated systems the earth lamps or monitor show it and the circuit is found by isolating feeders one by one.Synchronising and load sharingMatching voltage, frequency and phase of an incoming generator before closing its breaker, then sharing the load between running sets.Preferential tripOn generator overload, non-essential consumers such as galley and air conditioning are switched off in stages to avoid a blackout.Alarm and monitoring system (AMS)Collects signals from sensors across the engine room, shows values and raises alarms; it allows an unmanned engine room at night.Pressure transmitter (4–20 mA)Turns pressure into a 4–20 mA signal for the alarm system; zero and span are checked against a test gauge.Temperature sensor (Pt100, thermocouple)Pt100 resistance sensors are used for water and oil; thermocouples for exhaust gas, where temperatures are higher.Batteries (emergency and starting)Supply emergency lighting, radio and alarms during a blackout; electrolyte level, voltage and charger are checked weekly.
Safety and maintenance
Fire main and emergency fire pumpSea water line to the fire hydrants; the emergency fire pump outside the engine room must give two jets and is tested regularly.Fixed CO₂ fire-extinguishing systemFloods the engine room with CO₂; before release everyone must be out, ventilation stopped and openings closed, after the alarm sounds.Fire detector (smoke, heat, flame)Sensors connected to the fire alarm panel; each one is tested with test gas or heat at the intervals of the maintenance plan.Quick-closing valveValve on a fuel or oil tank outlet that can be closed from outside the engine room in case of fire.Permit to workWritten permission for hazardous work such as hot work, work aloft or electrical work, signed after the precautions are checked.Enclosed space entryTanks, void spaces and boilers may lack oxygen or contain toxic gas; entry only after ventilation, gas testing and a permit, with a standby person.Lockout / tagout (isolation)Before maintenance, power and pressure are isolated, the switch or valve is locked and tagged so nobody can start the equipment.Planned maintenance system (PMS)Schedule of maintenance jobs by running hours or calendar, required by the ISM Code; completed jobs are recorded with findings.Running hoursOperating time of a machine, read from its counter and entered in the maintenance system to trigger overhauls.OverhaulDismantling, inspecting, measuring and renewing worn parts of a machine according to the maker's manual.Spare partsParts kept on board for repairs; they are ordered by the maker's part number and drawing position from the parts list.CalibrationChecking an instrument against a known reference and adjusting it; gauges, sensors and the oil content meter need it at set intervals.