Essential Maritime Terms and Shipping Definitions

Key Maritime and Shipping Terminology

• COW (Crude Oil Washing): A system of cleaning the tanks by washing them with the cargo of crude oil while it is being discharged.
• CPA (Closest Point of Approach): Punto de máxima aproximación.
• CSS (Co-ordinator Surface Search): A vessel, other than a rescue unit, designated to coordinate surface search and rescue operations within a specified area (buque designado para coordinar el rescate en una determinada área).
• Damage Control Team: Equipo de control de daños. 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.
• Derelict: Abandonado. Goods or any other commodity, specifically a vessel abandoned at sea.
• Destination: Destino. The port for which a vessel is bound.
• Disabled: Discapacitado. A vessel damaged or impaired in such a manner as to be incapable of proceeding on its voyage.
• Disembark (to): Desembarcar. To leave a vessel.
• Distress Alert (GMDSS): Alerta de socorro. A radio signal from a distressed vessel automatically directed to a Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) giving position, identification, course, and speed of the vessel as well as the nature of distress.
• Dragging (of anchor): Arrastrando el ancla. Moving of an anchor over the sea bottom involuntarily because it is no longer preventing the movement of the vessel.
• Dredging (of anchor): Voluntariamente. Moving of an anchor over the sea bottom to control the movement of the vessel.
• Drifting: Deriva. Floating caused by winds and current with a determinable direction.
• Drop back (to): To increase the distance to the vessel ahead by reducing one's own speed.
• Embark (to): Embarcar. To go aboard a vessel.
• Escape Route: Ruta de escape. A clearly marked way in the vessel which must be followed in case of an emergency.
• Escort: Escolta. Attending a vessel to be available in case of need (e.g., ice-breaker, tug, etc.).
• ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival.
• ETD: Estimated Time of Departure.
• Fairway: The navigable part of a waterway.