DICTIONARY

HATCHES – ESCOTILHAS

FREIGHTERS – CARGUEIROS

BROAD – LARGA

GRABS – PONTA DO WINCH

CHAIN – CORRENTE

FORE – FRENTE

AFT – TRÁS

DUNNAGE – ALGO PARA IMPEDIR DANOS A CARGA

WHELLHOUSE – CASA DO LEME

STARBOARD – BORESTE

PORTSIDE – BOMBORDO

BULWARK – BORDA FALSA

FOREMOST DECK = FORECASTLE

Names Functions
a) upper deck /main It is a deck exposed to sea and weather.
deck
It is the foremost part of the upper deck.
b) forecastle
It is the intermediate deck between upper deck and the tanktop.
c) tweendeck
It is the inside bottom of the vessel.
d) tanktop
They are the spaces that contain the cargoes.
e) upper/lower holds
They are the foremost and aftermost spaces of the vessel.
f) peaktanks
It is a compartment located under the windlass (molinete) where the anchor
g) chain locker chains are stowed.
It is the upper part of the fore peaktank.
h) boatswain’s locker
They are collision bulkheads.
I) fore peak /after peak
bulkheads
It is a watertight machinery space that contains the vessel’s propulsion
j) engine room plant.
It is a watertight compartment, situated over the after peak tank; a power
k) steering engine steering device for ships.
room
It is a ship hull design and construction method where the bottom and sides
l) double bottom of the ship have two complete layers of watertight hull surface. It provides
strength and storage space for fuel, lubricating oil, fresh water, salt (ballast)
water and potable water. Also, it reduces the probability of oil outflow
following a collision or grounding.

It is an enclosure built within a body of water to allow the enclosed area to

m) cofferdam be pumped out.

It is an upward extension of an existing structure above a baseline where

n) superstructure the accommodation for the crew and passengers, the messroom, the galley
and the pantry (despensa) are located.
Write down the parts of a ship.
1. The main frame of a ship. HULL
2. The left side of a ship, looking forward. PORT SIDE
3. The right side of a ship, looking forward. STARBOARD SIDE
4. A spar rising above the hull and upper portions of a ship or boat to hold sails, rigging, signals. MASTER
5. A pipe through which smoke and gases are discharged. FUNNEL, STACK
6. The floorlike platform of a ship. DECK
7. A movable flat piece attached vertically to the rear (traseira) of a boat for steering her. RUDDER
8. A device consisted of a hub, fitted with blades that is used to propel a ship. PROPELLER
9. Partitions separating compartments; vertically designed watertight divisions within the ship’s structure.
BULKHEADS
10. The space below deck used for the stowage of cargo. HOLD
11. The principal structural member of a boat or ship, running along the center of the hull from bow to
stern, to which the ribs are attached. KEEL
12. The front section of a ship or boat. BOW, STEM
13. The rear part or section of a ship or boat. STERN
14. The kitchen especially of a ship. GALLEY
15. A room in a ship used as living quarters by an officer or a passenger. CABIN
16. A deck higher than the main deck at the bow. FORECASTLE
17. A structure above the weather deck, extending the full width of the vessel, which houses a command
center. SUPERSTRUCTURE
18. A narrow walkway extending outward from both sides of a pilothouse to the full width of a ship or
slightly beyond, to allow bridge personnel a full view to aid in the maneuvering of the ship, such as when
docking. BRIDGE WING
19- An enclosed structure on the bridge of a vessel from which it can be navigated; pilothouse.
WHEELHOUSE
20- A heavy metal device attached to a ship that catches hold of the bottom and holds the ship in place.
ANCHOR
21- An opening for access down into a compartment of a ship. HATCH
22- A lower compartment for housing the propulsion system of a ship. ENGINE ROOM
23- An empty space separating or between two other decks in the hull of a vessel. TWEEN DECK
24- A deck that is not roofed and thus is open to the ever-changing weather conditions of the sea.
WEATHER DECK
25- A transversal propulsion device built into or mounted to, either the bow or stern, of a ship or boat, to
make it more maneuverable. THRUSTER
26- A portable ladder or flight of stairs hung from the side of a ship. ACCOMMODATION LADDER
27- A watertight partition near the bow for keeping out water in the event of collision. COLLISION
BULKHEAD
28- A large device on the deck of a ship for lifting and moving heavy objects with the use of winches.
DERRICK
29- The extension of a ship’s side above the level of a weather deck. BULWARK
30- A place on a ship which is located at the top most accessible height; flying bridge, upper bridge.
MONKEY ISLAND
 DIMENSIONS

MOULDED BREADTH (WIDTH) = horizontal distances between the inside of the moulds
It is used to determine the vessel’s cargo carrying capacity in relation to her stability
MOULDED DEPTH = vertical distance between the inside of the mould
Indicates the height of the vessel
It is used to determine the vessel’s cargo carrying capacity in relation to her stability
BEAM = extreme breath of the vessel
LENGTH OVER ALL (LOA) = the distance between the extreme fore – end and the extreme aft end of the
vessel.
Before a berth along an embankment is allocated, the port authorities will have to know the total length of
the ship
LEGHT BETWEEN PERPENDICULARS = it is measured between fore perpendicular and aft perpendicular
It is used to determine the vessel’s stability.
The construction waterline is the line to which the ship may be loaded in summer.
The fore perpendicular is the vertical line trough the point where the construction waterline and the stem
intersect. The aft perpendicular goes trough the rudderstock.
DRAFT = distance from the bottom of the keel to the surface of the water
AIR DRAFT = distance from the waterline to the highest point of the vessel
When proceeding through a channel that is spanned by a bridge, the air draft should be less than the
vertical clearance of the bridge
Air draft > Vertical clearance – top hampered vessel
FREEBOARD = distance between the deckline and the waterline
UNDERKEEL CLEARANCE = distance between keel and seabed.
SHIP NOMENCLATURE PART III
Shipboard positions /directions
 The bow is the part of the ship between the stem and the collision or forepeak bulkhead.
 The space forward of (frente de) the collision bulkhead and below the main deck is the forepeak.
 The forepeak tank is the lowest space at the bow and it is used as a ballast tank (ballast water
increases the draught and reduces the trim by the stern).
 At the after part of the forecastle deck, we usually find the foremast.
In order to express position and movement relating to the ship, we use the following words:
 Ahead = at or to the front; in a forward direction
 Astern = at or to the stern of a vessel; backward
 Ahead of = in front of
 Astern of = behind the ship
 Amidships: near the middle part of a ship; midway between the bow and the stern.
 Abaft: 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 (is back
of)
 Aboard: on or within a ship.
 Aft: toward (na direção) the stern of a ship.
 Adrift: floating in the water without propulsion; not tied or secured; loose from the moorings
(amarras).
 Aground: with the bottom stuck on the ground beneath a body of water; stranded. (e.g.: The ship
ran aground.)
 Alee: on or toward the lee (em direção a sotavento); away from the direction of the wind.
 Aloft: in or into a high place; the masts, rigging, or other area above the highest solid structure.
 Aport: toward the port side of a ship.
 Ashore: on or toward the shore or land.
 Astarboard: toward the starboard side of a ship.
 Athwartships: toward the sides of a ship.
 Aweigh: just clear of the sea floor, as with an anchor.
 Below decks: in or into the space below the main deck of a ship; down to a lower deck.
 Outboard: situated, positioned outside the hull of a vessel; in a position that is away from the
center line of the hull of a ship.
 Inboard: within the hull or toward the center of a vessel.
 Topside: the top portion of the outer surface of a ship on each side above the waterline.
 Underdeck: a lower deck of a ship.
 Waterline: The line painted on the side of the vessel at the water’s edge to indicate the proper trim.
 Weather side: the side from which the wind blows; windward.
 Leeside side: the side of something that is sheltered from the wind; leeward.

There are ropes fore and aft. FORE AND AFT = AT THE BOW AND AT THE STERN
The fire party is amidships. AMIDSHIPS = IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHIP
There is shallow water ahead of your vessel. AHEAD OF = IN FRONT OF THE SHIP
Do not pass astern of my vessel. ASTERN OF = BEHIND THE SHIP
#1 hold is forward of #2 hold. FORWARD OF = IN FRONT OF
The funnel is Always aft of the navigation bridge. ABAFT OR AFT OF = BEHIND
There is a light buoy at a distance of two miles ahead. IN FRONT OF THE SHIP
The hull surface of the Stern is called the port quarter or the starboard quarter
The hull surface of the bow is called the port bow or the starboard bow

The floors of a ship are called decks, the walls are called bulkheads, and the stairs are called
ladders.
 There are no halls or corridors in a ship, only passageways. There are no ceilings (tetos) in a
room, only the overhead in the compartment.
Openings in the side of the ship are portholes, not windows. Entrances from one compartment
to another are called doors.
Openings from one deck to another are called hatches. The handles (alças) on the watertight
hatch or door are called dogs.
Dog - a short metal rod (barra) or bar fashioned to form a clamp (braçadeira) or clip and used for
holding watertight doors (portas estanques), manholes (bueiros) or pieces of work in place.
When you close a door or watertight hatch, you secure it. If you close down the dogs on the door or
hatch, you dog it down.
You never scrub the floor or wash the walls, rather you swab the deck and scrub the bulkheads.
You never go downstairs, you lay below, and if you are going up from one deck to another, you
lay topside.
If you are going up the mast or into the rigging you are going aloft.
FULL AND DOWN = is meant that the vessel is fully laden and is floating on her load line
EVEN KEEL = when a vessel is floating on even keel, there is no difference between draft fore and
draft aft (she is well trimmed).
DOWN BY THE HEAD = when draft fore is greater than draft aft, she is down by the head
(trimmed by the head)
DOWN BY THE STERN = when draft aft is greater than draft fore she is down by the stern
(trimmed by the stern)

1. Ahead
2. Port bow
3. Astern
4. Starboard quarter
5. Forward / ahead
6. Backward / astern

 Holds and other special spaces are compartments

 Decks and bulkheads are partitions, or, in Other words, separation or divisions

COMPARTMENTS PARTITIONS
Bosun’s store Tank top (or lower deck)
Upper / lower cargo holds Tweendeck
Double bottom Fore / aft peak collision bulkhead
Engine room Main (or Upper deck)
Fore / aft peak tanks forecastle
chainlocker Superstructure

Anchor, winches are there: FORECASTLE

Storage of the anchor chain: chainlocker
Storage of ropes, paint: bosun’s store
Provides shelter for all contents of vessel: DECK
Divides the vessel into separate holds: bulkhead
Inside bottom of vessel: TANK TOP (OR LOWER DECK)
Contain cargo: holds
Storage of ballast water, they also absorb impact in case of collision: peak tanks
Prevent vessel from flooding, also fire proof and fire retarding: watertight bulkhead
Contains vessel propulsion plant: ENGINE ROOM
Accommodation, messroom and galley are there: superstructure
Provides strength, storage and fuel, luboil, fresh and ballast water: double bottom tank

TYPES OF VESSELS 1

Cargo ships are classified into various types on the basis of purpose, size, type of cargo etc.
The economic factor is of prime importance in designing a merchant ship. Every owner wants maximum
return on their investment which means a ship’s construction not only depends on the current economic
necessities but the factor of future adaptability also plays a part.
From the preliminary design of a vessel due for construction, the following information can be obtained:
Dimensions / Displacement / Stability / Propulsive characteristics and hull form / Preliminary general
arrangement / Principal structural details. The type of ship plays an important role in deciding these
parameters.
Ships are mainly classified into the following types:
1. Container Ships
2. Bulk Carriers (graneleiros)
3. Tanker Ships
4. Passenger Ships
5. Naval Ships
6. Offshore Ships
7. Special Purpose Ships

1. Container Ships
A container ship is a cargo ship that carries all of its load in truck-size intermodal containers, in a
technique called containerization. Container ships are a common means of commercial intermodal freight
transport and now carry most seagoing non-bulk cargo.
Container ship capacity is measured in twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU). Typical loads are a mix of 20-
foot and 40-foot (2-TEU) ISO-standard containers, with the latter predominant.
2. Bulk Carrier Ships
A bulk carrier, bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpacked bulk cargo, such as
grains, coal, ore, steel, cement in its cargo holds.
Tramp: A boat or ship engaged in the tramp trade is one which does not have a fixed schedule or
published ports of call. **(**Any port (except its home port) being visited by a ship, especially to load or
unload cargo or passengers or to take on supplies.)
Liner: An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport passengers from point A to point B. The classic
example of such a voyage would be a transatlantic crossing from Europe to America.
3. Tanker
A tanker (or tank ship) is a ship designed to transport or store liquids or gases in bulk. Major types of
tank ship include the oil tanker the chemical tanker and gas carrier.
The main types of tankers are:
- Oil Tankers: Oil tankers mainly carry crude oil and its by-products.

- Liquefied Gas Carriers: A gas carrier (or gas tanker) is a ship designed to transport LPG, LNG or
liquefied chemical gases in bulk.

- Chemical and Product Carriers: A chemical tanker is a type of tanker ship designed to transport
chemicals and different liquid products in bulk.
 4. Roll-on Roll-Off Ships
Roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) ships are cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, semi-
trailer trucks, trailers, and railroad cars that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels or using a
platform vehicle, such as a self-propelled modular transporter.
This is in contrast to Lift-on/Lift-off (Lo-Lo) vessels, which use a crane to load and unload cargo.
RO/RO vessels have either built-in or shore-based ramps or ferry slips that allow the cargo to be efficiently
rolled on and off the vessel when in port.
While smaller ferries that operate across rivers and other short distances often have built-in ramps, the
term RO-RO is generally reserved for large oceangoing vessels.
The ramps and doors may be located on the stern, bow, sides or any combination thereof.
5. Passenger Ships
Passenger ships, such as cross-channel ferries, have been designed to carry passengers and their
vehicles on a prearranged route.
Passenger Ship Types: Passenger ships include ferries, which are vessels for day to day or overnight
short-sea trips, moving passengers and vehicles (whether road or rail); Ocean liners, which typically are
passenger or passenger-cargo vessels transporting passengers and often cargo on longer line voyages; and
Cruise ships, which often transport passengers on round-trips, in which the trip itself and the attractions of
the ship and ports visited are the main draw.
6. Offshore Vessels
Offshore vessels mainly help in oil exploration and construction jobs at sea. Offshore vessels are of
several types.
Some of the main ones are: Supply Ships → Vessels that supply to offshore rigs / Pipe Layers → Vessels
engaged in laying pipes and cables / Crane Barges or Floating cranes → Ships with cranes specialized in
lifting heavy loads.
Production Platforms → Used to extract and process oil and natural gas, or temporarily store product until
it can be brought to shore for refining and marketing / Floating Storage Unit (FSU) → Floating vessel
mainly used for storage of oil and by-products / Floating Production and Storage Unit (FPSO) → A floating
production storage and the offloading unit is a floating vessel used by the offshore oil and gas industry for
the production and processing of hydrocarbons and for the storage of oil / Anchor handling vessels →
These are used for offshore construction and installation operations / Diving vessels → Vessels used by
divers for diving in the ocean for underwater jobs.
7. Fishing Vessels
A fishing vessel is a boat or ship used to catch fish in the sea, or on a lake or river. Many different kinds
of vessels are used in commercial, artisanal and recreational fishing. They range in size from small dinghies
to large charter cruisers, and unlike commercial fishing vessels, are often not dedicated just to fishing.
Factory Ships: A factory ship, also known as a fish processing vessel, is a large ocean-going vessel with
extensive onboard facilities for processing and freezing caught fish or whales.
8 - Special Purpose Ships
Specialty vessels are constructed and used for specific purposes: Tugs → A tugboat is a boat that
maneuvers vessels by pushing or towing them; Tenders → A boat or a larger vessel used to service or
support other boats or ships, generally by transporting people and/or supplies; Pilot Crafts → Pilot crafts
are used for the transportation of harbor pilots; Cable Layers → Cable laying vessels help in laying cables
on to the sea bed.
Research Vessels → They are special types of vessels used for carrying out a variety of researches at sea.
Some of the most common types of research vessels are Seismic vessels, Hydrographic vessels,
Oceanographic vessels, Polar vessels etc.
Salvage Vessels → Salvage vessels are vessels engaged in salvage operations; recovery of lost property at
sea.
Lightships → A Lightvessel is a ship which acts as a lighthouse. These vessels are used in waters that are
too deep or otherwise unsuitable for lighthouse construction; a moored ship that has light beacons
mounted as navigational aids.
Barge Carriers → A barge is a flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods.
Timber Carriers → Vessels that carry timber.
Livestock Carriers → Vessels that carry livestock / animals.
Icebreakers → An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through
ice-covered waters, and provide safe waterways for other boats and ships.
For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it requires three traits most normal ships lack: a strengthened
hull, an ice-clearing shape, and the power to push through sea ice.
Icebreakers clear paths by pushing straight into frozen-over water or pack ice. The bending strength of
sea ice is low enough that the ice breaks usually without noticeable change in the vessel's trim.
In cases of very thick ice, an icebreaker can drive its bow onto the ice to break it under the weight of the
ship.
Dredgers
Dredging is an excavation activity usually carried out underwater, in shallow seas or freshwater areas
with the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and widening.
Dredgers are vessels with excavation tools used for removing sand and other types of deposits from the
seabed.
They are used for several purposes such as making shallow coastal areas navigational, deep-sea mining
etc. This work can include cleaning, deepening, or widening of a body of water using a scoop or suction
device.
In essence, the dredging process consists of the following three elements: excavation, transport of
excavated material and then use or disposal of dredged material.
Dredgers are mainly classified into two types:
Mechanical dredgers / Hydraulic dredgers
EXPLANATIONS (FILL IN THE EXPRESSIONS)
1.Gross Register Tonnage: Is the entire volume of all the enclosed spaces
2. Net Tonnage is the total weight of all the cargo that can be carried
3. Cargo Carrying Capacity indicates the volume for cargo
4. Bale Space is the volume of the spaces used to carry general cargo
5. Grain Space the volume of the spaces used to carry bulk cargo
6. Deadweight is the weight of cargo, stores, equipment, oils and waters
7. Loaded draft is the draft of the vessel in laden condition
8. Ullage Space is the empty space on top of a liquid
9. Oil Space is 98% of the volume of the tanks
10. When Buoyancy is less than gravity, the vessel will sink
11. Moulded depth indicates the height of the cargo holds, including the double bottom
12. Moulded breadth indicates the inside breadth of the cargo holds
13. Beam indicates the greatest distance between starboard and port sides
14. Freeboard is the distance between deckline and the surface of the water
15. Length Between Perpendiculars is the distance between FPP and APP
16. Draft is the distance from the bottom of the ship to the waterline
17. Length Over All is the length between the stem and the Stern
18. Aft Perpendicular is the vertical line through the rudderstock
19. Salt Water Draft is less than fresh water draft because of salinity
20. Under Keel Clearance (UKC) is the distance between the vessel’s keel and the bottom of the sea
21. Air Draft is the highest point of the ship measured from the waterline
22. Fore Perpendicular is the line through the intersection of stem and waterline

TYPES OF VESSELS 2
Terms defining movements of a vessel / Vocabulary
1. The vessel gathered away. (to gather away is to start to move)
2. She has too much way on. (moving too fast)
3. She is adrift. (with no way of propulsion, no moorings)
4. She is under way. (neither anchored, not secured to a buoy, not aground – moving under control)
5. She is afloat. (not sinking, born by the water – floating)
6. She is making headway. (moving forward throw the water)
7. She is making sternway. (moving backwards throw the water)
8. To overhaul (another vessel) (to overtake her) - ultrapassar
9. To fall astern – to get astern of another vessel by reducing of speed
10. Weather side (the side of the ship exposed to the wind)
 11. Lee side (side sheltered from the wind)
12. She is constrained by her draft.
13. She is not under command → The term “vessel not under command” means a vessel which through
some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the Rule and is therefore
unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. (COLREG –Rule 3 Explained)
14. Hampered vessel →A vessel restricted by her ability to maneuver by the nature of her work.

A. 3
B. 13 J. 9
C. 1 K. 16
D. 11 L. 5
E. 4 M. 14
F. 15 N. 6
G. 8 O. 2
H. 7 P. 10
I. 12

I. Complete the sentences with the words below.

A liner sails according to a PREARRANGED-FIXED schedule, a tramp doesn’t
A GENERAL CARGO is a Freighter (cargueiro) that carries cargo in bags, boxes, crates (caixotes) or in PIECES
Dry bulk cargo (grain, ore, coal) is unpacked cargo of one COMMODITY
Tankers carry liquids IN BULK
VLCC stands for VERY LARGE CRUDE CARRIER
On a Ro-Ro, cargo is rolled on and rolled of the vessel in lorries, so no CARGO HANDLING equipment is
required.
A Reefer has been equipped with a refrigerating plant to carry REFRIGERATED cargoes.
Large vessels are TOWED by sea-going tugs or harbor tugs.
A Heavy-Lift vessel lifts heavy cargo with her heavy DERRICKS (“booms”)
Cutter suction dredgers are often SPUDDED to keep the vessel in position.?????
On a Supply vessel, the wheelhouse and funnel are FORWARD; SUPPLIES for oil rigs are carried on the AFT
deck
Icebreakers are equipped with powerful engines and must have STRENGHTENED STEMS
A Buoyage vessel MAINTAINS and PLACES buoys
A pilot often EMBARKS a ship from a PILOT LAUNCH
A Survey vessel performs RESEARCH into nautical matters, such as DEPTHS, SEABED condition, positions of
WRECKS, etc.
In cases of DISTRESS, SAR vessel performs a SEARCH and RESCUE operations
Coasters are small cargo vessels that carry cargo along the coast or on SHORT-SEA VOYAGES
A Salvage vessel has been equipped with HEAVY DERRICKS to lift wrecks from the seabed
A Fire float is a FIRE-FIGHTING vessel
A Semi-submersible heavy-load vessel is loaded by SUBMERGING in first. When the vessel EMERGES again,
she will ‘PICK UP’ the cargo.
1. FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE WORDS BELLOW
NAVIGATIONAL – EMERGENCY – KNOWLEGE – SAFETY-RELATED – MISSUNDERSTANDING – PRESSURE –
BLOCK LANGUAGE – STANDARDIZED – DRAFTED – SIMPLIFIED
IMO SMCP* (standard marine communication phrases)
The IMO SMCP builds on a basic KNOWLEDGE of the English language. It was DRAFTED (elaborada)
intentionally, in a SIMPLIFIED version of maritime English in order to reduce grammatical, lexical and
idiomatic varieties to a tolerable minimum, using STANDARDIZED structures for the sake of its function
aspects, i. e., reducing MISSUNDERTANDINDS in SAFE-RELATED verbal communications, thereby
endeavoring to reflect present maritime English language usage on board vessels and in ship-to-shore /
ship-to-ship communications. This means that is phrases offered for use in EMERGENCY and other
situations developing under considerable PRESSURE of time of psychological stress, as well as in
NAVIGATIONAL warnings, a BLOCK LANGUAGE is applied which uses sparingly or omits the function word
the, a/an, is, are, as done in seafaring practice. Users, however, may be flexible in this respect.
TYPES OF VESSEL PART 3
Text (1): Shipping / Types of vessels (Class 8 (24-02-21))
1. Merchant ships
2. Cargo / passengers
3. Basic ways Merchant ships operate
 4. Liners / Ferries / Tramps
5. Specialized Vessels
6. Classification of ships according to what they carry
7. Bulk Carriers / Multi-deck Vessels / Container ships / Oil Tankers / Cruise ships
Text (2): IMO-SMCP Standard Marine Communication Phrases (Homework - Class 8 (24- 02- 21))
► Basic knowledge
► Simplified version
► Reduce grammatical, lexical and idiomatic varieties
► Standardized structures
► Ship-to-ship / Shore-to-ship communications
► Block-language
► Function words
Text (3): Effective Communication: The key to successful operations. (Class 6 - 18/02/21)
1. The safety of ship’s crews, visitors and passengers
2. English on board ships
3. Language barriers
4. Knowledge of the English language
5. Procedures and Checklists
6. Modern communications make life easier for all

7. Communication ⇔ Exchange
8. Dissemination of information
9. Inclusion/ Leadership / Teamwork

10. Effective Communication ⇔ Successful operation

EXERCISES
1. Rewrite these sentences using maritime English:

a. The officer is going to the front part of the ship.

The officer is going to the bow
b. The part which makes the ship move is located at the back of the vessel
The propeller is located at the stern
c. The seaman will be at the extensions of the bridge in order to watch for some danger
The seaman will be on the bridge wings in order to watch for some danger.
d. Tell the officer to go to the navigation deck
Tell the officer to go the bridge
e. The compartments for general cargo on that vessel are full
The holds on that vessel are full
f. Do not forget to tell the agency our measurement from the front to the back
Do not forget to tell the agency our length over all
g. The pieces used to fix the ship in position are located on the right and left sides of the front
The anchors are located on the starboard bow and port bow.
h. Our ship is moving to the back, but that one is going to the front
Our ship is moving astern, but that one is going ahead.

2. Answer these questions:

a. What is the importance of the rudder?

It is used to steer the vessel.
b. Explain the difference between the bow and the stern
The bow is in the front of the vessel and the rear of a boat is called the stern
c. How can you put the cargo in the holds?
With a derrick, cranes, cargo handling equipment’s
d. What do you call the principal floor of the ship?
Main deck/ upper deck
e. What parts expels smoke and gases?
The Funnel/stack does
f. Name two important sections of the superstructure:
Bridge, cabins, galley, messroom, wheelhouse
g. Where is the superstructure possibly located?
At amidships or forward
h. What part fixes the ship in position?
The anchor does
i. What do you call the center part of the vessel?
Amidships
j. What do you call the area at the stern?
Aft
TYPES OF VESSEL PART 4
Merchant ships – have been designed to transport cargo or passengers
Types of ships
1. Liners (carry cargo between two fixed destinations, has a fixed home port, port of destination, fixed ETD
and ETA) and Tramps (carry cargo according to schedules that are not fixed)
2. General Cargo Ships- cargoes that have been pact in cranes, boxes, bags or cargo common pieces. The
cargoes are loaded by the vessels own Derrick, is has several twin decks. So that cargoes with far
destinations do not have to be removed first.
3. Bulk Carriers- cargo of one commodity. Loaded and discharged by cranes.
4. Tankers: liquid cargoes, oil. Must be fitted with double bottom, cofferdam double bulkheads that
prevent liquid to go from one tank to the Other.
5. Container Ships: sometimes equipped with their own cranes. Rolls (length, numbered from the middle
outward, numbers on the port side and on the starboard), bays (cross section, from bow to Stern) and tiers
(from the bottom and up)
Advantage: short time, few stevedores.
6. Roll-On / Roll-Off: no cargo handling equipment is required
7. Coasters: carry cargo along the coast, short sea Voyage, the engine room is situated aft. There are no
tween decks. Hatches cover most of the main deck.
8. Reefers: carry perishable cargoes, they are equipped with refrigerating plant
9. LASH vessels → (Lighter aboard ship). Main deck flapped without and obstacles. A lighter is a container
that floats in the water, and the containers are lifted by the vessels own heavy derrick. SEAB sea barge.
A LASH vessel stands for Lighter Aboard Ship, and its primary function is loading and
unloading barges. Basically, LASH vessel is used for transporting barges, and it is sometimes
referred to as LASH carriers, barge carriers, kangaroo ships or lighter transport ships.

The barge, itself, is a boat with flat bottom developed for transporting goods through the
rivers and canals that large vessels cannot go through.

10.Heavy-load vessels: most important feature: have very heavy derricks, most common cargoes: railings,
platforms, trains and wrecks (destroços), they are loaded on the main deck. Which is flapped and free from
obstacles.

Semi-submersible ships that take on water ballast to allow the load—usually another vessel—to be floated
over the deck, whereupon the ballast is jettisoned and the ship's deck and cargo raised above the
waterline.

11. Multi-purpose vessels: carry general cargo and container, they are equipped with different types of
cargo handling equipment.
12. Passenger ships: cruise ships are designed to holiday makers: tourists, travelers. Can be ferries, and
their main features are like the Ro-Ro.
 LASH/ barge carrier
Assistance and Service: specific tasks.
1. Tugs: helps entering or leaving the port. 3 features: maneuverability, stability and power.
Seagoing tugs and harbor tugs. Deck clear to help the towing line.
2. Salvage vessels: must have heavy derricks to lift wrecks from the seabed. Rescue other ships from
the sea.
3. Buoyage vessels: place and maintains buoys.
4. Survey vessels: marine research
5. Supply boats: supplies oil rigs. Deck must be flapped
6. SAR-vessels: search and rescue, helps in situations of distress like man over board, fire
explosions, groundings. Must achieve high speeds and promote effective communication

buoyage vessel
1. Fire-fighting vessels
2. Pilot boats: small and fast, highly maneuverable, the pilot will embark
3. Icebreakers: An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate
through ice-covered waters, and provide safe waterways for other boats and ships.
For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it requires three traits most normal ships lack: a strengthened
hull, an ice-clearing shape, and the power to push through sea ice.
Icebreakers clear paths by pushing straight into frozen-over water or pack ice. The bending strength of
sea ice is low enough that the ice breaks usually without noticeable change in the vessel's trim.
In cases of very thick ice, an icebreaker can drive its bow onto the ice to break it under the weight of the
ship.
4. Dredgers
Dredging is an excavation activity usually carried out underwater, in shallow seas or freshwater areas with
the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and widening.
Dredgers are vessels with excavation tools used for removing sand and other types of deposits from the
seabed.
They are used for several purposes such as making shallow coastal areas navigational, deep-sea mining etc.
This work can include cleaning, deepening, or widening of a body of water using a scoop or suction device.
In essence, the dredging process consists of the following three elements: excavation, transport of
excavated material and then use or disposal of dredged material
Dredgers are mainly classified into two types: Mechanical dredgers / Hydraulic dredgers

5. Trawlers
Catching and processing and enormous quantity of fish. May be underway (no anchored or aground),
have large refrigerating plants on board.
A fishing trawler is a commercial fishing vessel designed to operate fishing trawls. Trawling is a method
of fishing that involves actively dragging or pulling a trawl through the water behind one or more
trawlers. Trawls are fishing nets that are pulled along the bottom of the sea or in midwater at a
specified depth.

fire-fighting vessel

dredger
 semi-submersible -------- heavy lift vessel
GENERAL REVIEW (TYPES OF VESSELS)
Exercises
1. What is the difference between a Liner and a Tramp?
A liner carries cargoes between 2 fixed destinations, prearranged fixed schedule, fixed home port,
port of call, port of destination, fixed ETA and ETD.
A tramp does not have a fixed schedule, her port of call, home port, port of destination, ETA and
ETD change in different voyages.
2. What is a ‘port of call’?
Is a port where the ship stops during a voyage to do something, like repairing an equipment or even
loading or unloading.
3. What does ETA stand for? ETD?
ETA = estimated time of arrival
ETD = estimated time of departure
4. What types of cargo are carried in Tankers?
Gases or liquid in bulk cargoes.
5. What are ‘cofferdams?
Are the spaces between two bulkheads.
6. What is a double bottom tank?
Is a structure of the vessel which helps preventing the spread of the cargo, for example oil, in case
there is damage in the hull. It is formed by two layers and can be filled with water or ballast water,
for example.
7. What is ‘ullage’?
Is the volume of the container that is not filled because of the expansion of the liquid cargo
8. What is ‘loose cargo’?
Unpacked cargo
9. What is ‘break bulk’?
General cargo, goods that must be loaded individually
10. Mention some examples of dry bulk cargo.
Ore, grains
11. What type of cargo-handling equipment is used to load and discharge bulk cargo?
Grab cranes, vacuum unloading arms, pneumatic grain conveyor
12. What is a ‘Combination Carrier’?
It is a multipurpose ship, carry oil and dry cargo in bulk
13. What does OBO stand for?
Oil bulk ore
14. 14. How is cargo packed in Freighters?
It’s packed in box, bags
15. 15.What type of cargo is carried in Reefers?
Perishable commodities, fruit, vegetables, fish, meat
16. 16. How is cargo loaded and discharged in Ro/Ro vessels?
Rolled on and rolled off by trucks, no cargo handling equipment required
17. 17.What type of cargo do these ships carry?
Wheeled cargo, like cars, trailers
18. 18.What does LPG stand for? LNG?
LPG = liquified petroleum gas
LNG = liquified natural gas
19. 19. What is a Barge? What type of cargo does this vessel carry?
It is a flap bottom boat, it can be self-propelled, it needs to be pushed or towed by tug boats. It carries
heavy goods
20. 20. Mention some features of a Coaster vessel.
It is a coastal trading vessel; they carry cargo along the coast or on short sea voyages; they are shallow-
hulled ships; they have limited length ang tonnage
21. 21. Mention one function of the Icebreaker.
Move and navigate through ice covered water, it provides ways for other vessels to navigate
through. It must have a strengthened hull, a reinforced stem and the power required to push
through a body of sea ice
22. 22. How is a Semi-submersible Heavy-lift vessel loaded?
By submerging it first. When the vessel emerges again, she will pick up the cargo.
23. 23. What type of cargo does she carry?
Extremely heavy cargoes, like engines, wrecks
24. 24. What does RCC stand for?
Rescue coordinating center
 25. 25. Mention three main features of a Tugboat.
Stability, power and maneuverability
26. 26. What are two types of Tugs?
Sea going tugs and harbor tugs
27. 27. Mention some advantages of carrying cargo in Container ships.
Less stevedores, short laytime,
28. 28.What are Dredgers?
Dredgers are vessels with excavation tools used for removing sand and other types of deposits from
the seabed. They are used for several purposes such as making shallow coastal areas navigational,
deep-sea mining etc.
29. 29. What is ‘land reclamation’?
It’s the process of creating new lands. From oceans, seas, riverbed, lakebeds
30. 30. The land reclaimed is known as ------------------ or ----------------.
Reclamation ground or land fill.
31. 31. What is a Research vessel?
They are special types of vessels used for carrying out a variety of researches at sea. Some of the
most common types of research vessels are: Seismic vessels, Hydrographic vessels, Oceanographic
vessels, Polar vessels etc.
32. 32. What is a Supply vessel?
Vessels that supply to offshore rigs
33. 33. What does ‘LASH’ stand for? Mention some features of this type of vessel.
Lighter aboard ship. A barge carrier designed to act as a shuttle (transporte) between ports, taking and
discharging barges (lighters). The ship is provided with massive crane which loads and discharges the
lighters over the stern. The lighters each have the capacity of 400 tons and are stowed in the hold and on
deck. Flap main deck.
34. 34. What is a Seismic vessel?
It is a ship used for seismic survey ate high seas and oceans.
35. 35. What is a Buoyage vessel?
It is a vessel that places and maintains buoys. Flap deck
36. 36. What is a Trawler?
Catching and processing and enormous quantity of fish. May be underway (no anchored or
aground), have large refrigerating plants on board.
A fishing trawler is a commercial fishing vessel designed to operate fishing trawls. Trawling is a
method of fishing that involves actively dragging or pulling a trawl through the water behind one or
more trawlers. Trawls are fishing nets (redes) that are pulled along the bottom of the sea or in
midwater at a specified depth.
 37. 37. What type of cargo can a Multi-purpose ship carry?
General cargo and containerized cargo
38. 38. What is the function of SAR vessels?
Search and rescue when a ship is in distress
39. 39. What is a ‘derelict’? a ‘wreck’?
Derelict: the vessel still afloat, abandoned at sea
Wreck: the broken remains of something destroyed
40. 40. Mention two features of a Pilot launch.
Small, fast, high powered and built to stand heavy seas

SHIPWRECK

DERELICT
Text 1: “Maritime English” – Why is it essential for seafarers to be proficient in Maritime English? (03-
02-21)

▸ Seafarers need to be proficient in Maritime English.

▸ The Shipping Industry is international.

▸ Maritime English is very important for the young apprentices** (**a person who works for somebody
else to learn that person’s skill or trade).

▸ Human error / Miscommunication ⇔ Accidents.

▸ IMO-SMCP

▸ How to deal with emergency on board.

▸ Maritime English ⇔ Respond to emergencies effectively.

Text 2: Communication / The impact of ship crews on Maritime Safety. (04-02-21)
• Language is one of the strongest elements in culture.
• Language problems / Different cultures and languages.
•Improve procedures for communication / Better selection of personnel / Improved design of maritime
equipment and technology.

• Lack of a common language ⇔ Multinational crews ⇔ Isolation.

• Lack of information contributes to fear and uncertainty.
•In understanding non-verbal communication, culture plays a crucial role.
• The level of English taught in Maritime Education has to be more advanced.

LAND RECLAMATION

LAND RECLAMATION

RADIO COMUNICATIONS
Radiotelephony
- A VHF-transceiver (transmitter ₊ receiver)
- The VHF is used to bridge short distances (can be used in the water and in land)
- “Push-to-talk button”
- Speak (push the button) / Listen (release the button) – they cannot be done simultaneously-
simplex
- “Over”: before changing from speaking to listening
- “Semi-duplex installations” – speaking and listening can be done simultaneously
 - Digital Selective Calling (DSC) in an integral part of the GMDSS and is used for transmitting distress
alerts from ships and for transmitting the associated acknowledgements from coast station. It is
also used by ships and coast stations for relaying distress alerts and for other urgency and safety
calls.
- DSC: Is intended to announce and initiate ship to ship, ship to shore communication, after the
communication was announced in the DSC is continued in the VHF
- After the announcement is done, communications continuous in the vhf
Using VHF radio
General Principles
1. Do not make unnecessary transmissions;
2. Always follow the recommended VHF procedures;
3. Speak slower than in normal conversation;
4. Speak more slowly if the addressee is writing down your message;
5. Maintain a constant voice level;
6. Pronounce each word clearly;
7. Always follow VHF message recommendations, particularly the use of Message Markers**;
8. Always be concise and unambiguous.
(** p. 5 IMO-SMCP) advice, information, intention, warning. The marker alerts the listener about the
message he is about to hear
Before Transmitting...
1. Make sure that your call is really necessary;
2. Plan what you want to say before starting. Write it down if necessary.
3. Check that the VHF set is switched to the correct VHF channel;
4. Listen to find out if the VHF channel you intend to make the call on is already in use;
5. Before making the Initial Call listen to find out if the VHF channel you intend to select as the
working VHF channel is already in use;
6. Do not interrupt another station’s transmissions.
Use of VHF channel 16
Is the marine vhf radio frequency, international distress frequency. The frequency may also carry routine
calls, used to stablish communication before changing to another channel. it is the channel most
frequently used for initial contacts ship to ship.
1. If a station’s working VHF channel is known, it should be used for calling in preference to VHF
channel 16.
2. VHF channel 16 is only to be used for calling in cases of:
a. Distress, Urgency and Safety;
 b. where the other station’s working VHF channel is known;
c. where the other station’s working VHF channel is known but is engaged.
3. Calls on VHF channel 16 may be made up to three times. Calling is not to be continued after it becomes
obvious that no reply is going to be received.
4. VHF channel 16 is not to be used for communications other than those connected with distress, urgency
and safety situations, except that an exchange less than one minute in length concerning the safety of
navigation may be made on VHF channel 16, if it is important that all ships within range hear it. All other
communications must be conducted on a VHF working channel.
5. A listening watch must be kept on VHF channel 16 at all times while the bridge is manned, except when
the local regulations require a watch to be kept on another VHF channel and dual watch facilities are not
available.
Simplex and Duplex channels
1. Single-frequency working (It is not possible to transmit and receive simultaneously.)
To complete you must say over or out.
2. Dual-frequency working (Vessels and CRS** / port operations / ship movement)
2 different frequencies are used.
Text 1: Is English the True International Language of the Sea? (08-02-21)
- Seaspeak
- Master/Pilot relationship
- Language barriers
- Professionalism
- Prudent Seamanship
- The importance of non-verbal communication
VHF Conventions
Identification of Stations

▸ ITU regulations: international telecommunication union; you must identify every time you make a
transmission, like a shore place use their geographic name followed by their type of service, ITU list of
coast registrations

▸ Identification of shore and coast stations: they will be identified by their names and their call signs
(using the phonetical alphabet)

▸ Calling an unknown vessel: it should be addressed to the phrase “all ships”; Followed by ship type,
position, course and speed (in this order; you don’t have to say all of them, but must be in this order)

▸ Portable stations (e.g. hand held set): it is followed by the location or by a number;
A portable station must identify itself by the name of its parent station, followed either by the location in
which it is operating or by a number.
e.g. name of a parent station (in this case a ship): Whitegate
bow of a ship identifies itself as Whitegate bow

▸ Transmission of letters: phonetic alphabet must be used in callsigns

▸ Abbreviations: 2 types: Where the initial letters are spoken separately “IMO, GMDSS, ITU, VLCC, VHF”
and abbreviations which the initial letters are spoken like they were a word like Ro-Ro

▸ Transmission of numbers: nine, four. Decimal point is expressed by the word decimal or point; if there is
more than a Thousand and the number is a whole thousand, you say “two zero zero zero thousand, but if is
not a whole thousand, you do not say the word “thousand’

To measure Unit Seaspeak term

Depth meters meters

Distance nautical miles miles

Draught meters meters

Height meters meters

Speed knots knots

Tonnage DWT deadweight tons

VHF frequency ITU VHF / channel number VHF channel

Visibility to one mile meters meters

Visibility over one mile nautical miles miles

Volume cubic meters cubic meters

Weight Kilograms / tons Kilograms / metric tons

 Wind speed Beaufort Scale / knots force / knots

Seaspeak term: the words to be spoken when you say that words on the VHFs
Text 1: How to succeed in making multinational crews live and work together. (10/02/21)

► A common language ⇔ Multinational crews;

► The attitude of the Master on board;

► Total bans of alcohol ⇔ social isolation ⇔ Mental problems;

► Standard Communication Phrases / Good General English;
► The importance of shipboard interaction;
► Poor people management by Masters.
Exercises
Listening Comprehension: Doing a radio check
I. Listen to three call signs and write them in the spaces below.
a. BZZ7 b. A8JS5 c. ZCDL
II. Listen to the initial exchange and answer these questions.
1. Which comes first, the initiating station’s call sign or the station being called?
THE STATION BEING CALLED

2. What phrase means ‘I request a radio check’?

How do you read
3. How many numbers are given in the radio check?
2 numbers; the numbers are known as …
CLASS 14
VHF Conventions (Part II)
Transmission of measurements and quantities

▸ Length: two-five-zero meters

▸ Quantity: two-four cylinders

▸ Reduce speed, new speed: one-zero knots

▸ My salt water draught is: two-five meters

My draught forward is: two-five meters
It must always be in this order. What is being measured, numbers and the unit of measurement.
If there are changings: change course, new course: 303 degrees
Dates
▸ Monday, 10th May, 2021
year: two-zero-two-one; month: zero-five; day: one-zero
Time (General Rules)

▸Time / ETA / ETD

▸UTC (Universal Time Co-ordinated)****

▸Time 15:00 UTC is to be spoken as:

Time: one-five-zero-zero hours UTC.
An arrival estimate of 10:00 (local time) is to be spoken as: ETA: one-zero-zero-zero hours local.
Periods of time

▸ A delay of thirty minutes is to be spoken as:

Delay (is) period: three-zero minutes
**** UTC → Clear of land / Local time → In the vicinity of the port
Exercises
1. Convert the following items of information into Seaspeak and practice transmitting them with a
partner.
a. local time 02:30 – time: zero-two hours three-zero minutes local
b. time (UTC) 15:00 –time: one-five-zero-zero hours UTC
c. one o’clock in the afternoon, local time – time: one-three-zero-zero hours local
d. Estimated Time of Arrival (UTC) 12:00 – ETA: one-two-zero-zero hours UTC
e. Estimated Time of Departure (local time) 11:00 – ETD: one-one-zero-zero hours local
f. a delay of 45 minutes – Delay (is) period: four-five minutes
g. Estimated Time of Departure, two thirty in the afternoon, local time- ETD: one-four-hours three-zero
minutes local
h. Thursday, March 11th, 2021 – year: two-zero-two-one; month: zero-three; day: one-one
i. Friday, April 15th, 2022 – year: two-zero-two-two; month: zero-four; day: one-five
Text 1: Cultural Diversity on board ships (04/02/21)
∙Multiethnic, Multilingual, Multicultural crews.

∙Miscommunication / Lack of communication ⇔ fatal consequences on people, ships and environment.

∙Human error / Poor knowledge of English.
∙Creating multicultural competences.

∙Technical / professional knowledge ⇔ Cultural awareness and Cultural intelligence.

∙Inter-cultural relations among ship crew members.
Luggage
Culture competence: ability to interact with other. Cultural shocks are negative.

∙ Avoid exclusion, discrimination ⇔ Be flexible and adaptable.

∙ Leadership courses.
∙ Challenges in a multicultural diversity are unavoidable.
2. Listening Comprehension: Palmyra Atoll
I. Listen to an account of a visit to Palmyra Atoll. Who are the following people?
a. The speaker b. Buck Walker c. The Grahams
II. Complete the sentences with words and phrases from the account.
1. Palmyra Atoll is not a tropical paradise
2. People say that there is a buried treasure ---------- side of Palmyra.
3. The landing strip has been there since------------.
4. Only SEA BIRDS live in Palmyra now.
5. The Grahams disappeared in --------------.
6. The policeman found when he went to Palmyra.
7. A tourist found human bones in A WESTERN LAGOON
8. The killer spent 22 YEARS in prison.
III. Number these events in the order they happened.
• A policeman looks for the Grahams. (4 )
• The Grahams arrive at Palmyra. ( 1 )
• The Grahams lose radio contact. (2 )
• A tourist finds a body. ( 5 )
• The police arrest a man for stealing. ( 6 )
• The Grahams are murdered. ( 3 )

UNIT III - VHF CONVENTIONS (PART III)

 POSITIONS
Always be accurate
Position can be given in:
a) Latitude and Longitude (clear of land (not at the vicinity of thew port) / near a featureless
(undistinguished) coast).
b) Bearing and Distance (near land / conspicuous (noticeable) sea mark).
BEARING = marcação- expressed as an angle
TAKE A BEARING

How to use the methods...

a) By VHF / Positional information / the word ‘Position’.
b) Time of position. This is to be transmitted after the word position and before the first element of
positions: example: my position is time 1300 hours UTC latitude …
When giving position by VHF, the positional information must be proceeded by the word position. Not only
position, but also, speed, time, quantity, course, these words are used before some information.

LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE METHOD

► Latitude (1st) / Longitude (2nd);
► Latitude ₊ numbers;
► Degrees and minutes;
► Parts of a minute (decimal / point);
► Preliminary zero(s);
► North / South (Latitude);
► East / West (Longitude).
a) e.g.: Position: Latitude: 34º 18’ N; Longitude: 089º 20’ E.
 b) e.g.: Position: Time: one-four-zero-zero hours UTC; Latitude... North; Longitude... East.

CLASS 15 PART 2
BEARING AND DISTANCE

► Bearing ₊ point of reference;

► Either from the mark or from the vessel;
► Position related to a mark / well-defined charted object/ Bearing in the 360 degrees notation from true
North and shall be that of the position from the mark;
► Bearing ₊ numbers;
► Distance ₊ numbers;
► Nautical miles.
(e.g.: Position: Bearing: one-nine-four degrees from Cape Otway; distance: one-two point/decimal four
miles. / e.g.: Position: Time: one-five-zero-zero hours local; Bearing: one-three-seven degrees from Big
Head lighthouse; distance: two-point-four nautical miles.)
Exercises
1. Clear and accurate transmission of positional information in an internationally- agreed standard
form is essential. Convert the following into a form suitable for transmission over VHF.
a) 53º 15.3’ N; 075º 23.5’ E. Position: Latitude: five-three degrees one-five point/decimal three
minutes North; Longitude: zero-seven-five degrees and two-three point/decimal minutes East.
b) 12º 09’ S; 067º 03’ W. 13:00 UTC. Position: Time: one-three-zero-zero hours UTC. Latitude one-two
degrees and zero-nine minutes South. Longitude: zero-six-seven degrees and zero three minutes
West.
c) 200º, 3.1 miles from Cap Couronne. Position: Bearing: two-zero-zero degrees from Cap. Couronne;
Distance: three point/decimal one miles
 d) 180º, 2.3 miles from Red Fish Island. 10:00 UTC. Position: Time: one-zero-zero-zero hours UTC;
Bearing: one-eight-zero degrees from Red Fish Island; Distance: two point/decimal three miles.
2. Complete the sentences with (a) suitable word(s).
a) When Latitude and Longitude are used, these shall be expressed in DERGREES and MINUTES (and
DECIMALS of a minute if necessary), SOUTH or NORTH of the Equador and EAST or WEST of
Greenwich.
b) When the position is related to a mark, it shall be a WELL DEFINED charted object. The bearing shall
be in the 360 degrees notation from true North and shall be that of the position from the mark.
c) Relative bearings can be expressed in degrees relative to the VESSEL’S HEAD. More frequently this
is in relation to the port or starboard bow. e.g.: Buoy 030 degrees on your port bow.

PART 1

▸The different types of procedure

a) Exchange: 2 or more stations achieve communication, one transmits and the other respond
b) Broadcast: stations transmit a message without knowing if the other will hear you; if the other
respond, the communication becomes an exchange
c) Distress and Safety communications: 3 procedures:

▸General Procedure Rules

Order of priority of communications (marker words)
1. Distress → ‘Mayday’ (grounding, man overboard, sinking, piracy, fire explosion)
2. Urgency → ‘Pan Pan’ (technical failures, cargo, ice damage)
3. Safety → ‘Sécurité’ (meteorological navigation information)
THE CONTOLLING STATION (CS)
‣ The CS is responsible for making and maintaining contact. The CS is either:
a) The station that makes the Initial call, or
b) A Coast or Shore Radio Station as soon as it becomes involved in an Exchange or Broadcast.
‣ The functions of the Controlling Station...
1. Nominate the working the VHF channel, then conduct the change over to the working VHF channel
2. Stablish contact on the working VHF channel
3. Terminate the exchange or broadcast
PART II
Radio reception (Readability Code - IMO-SMCP p. 6)

Readability ⇔ “to receive sufficiently well to make out the message”

⇔ “It has nothing to do with whether a message is understood; only with whether it is heard.”
‣ How do you read (me) ?
I read you 1 (with signal strength one / I read you bad)
I read you 2 (poor)
I read you 3 (fair)
I read you 4 (good)
I read you 5(excellent)
Exercises
1. Answer these questions:
a) How many types of VHF procedures are there?
3
b) What is an Exchange ? a Broadcast ?
Exchange: 2 or more stations achieve communication; one transmits and the other responds
Broadcast: stations transmit a message without knowing if the other will hear you; if the other respond,
the communication becomes an exchange
c) Which three types of communication have the highest priority?
1. distress
2. urgency
3. safety

d) What is the main responsibility of the CS?

The CS is responsible for making and maintaining contact.
FUNCTIONS:
1. Nominate the working the VHF channel, then conduct the change over to the working VHF channel
2. Stablish contact on the working VHF channel
3. Terminate the exchange or broadcast

2. Using the Readability Code, write down how you would say the following:
a) Your signal is so poor that it is unusable. (I read you 1).
 b) I am receiving an excellent signal from you. (I read you 5).
Listening Comprehension: ‘Notices to Mariners’
3. Which words in the notice mean the following:
a) Replace - SUBSTITUTE
b) Put in - INSERT
c) Take out - DELETE
PART I
VHF CONVENTIONS PART V
EXCHANGE PROCEDURE
4 stages, minimum number of steps: 9. Ship A makes 4 transmitions, ship B makes 3, both ships change
channels and complete the end procedures.

Outline diagram of a two-ship Exchange

STEP 1 Initial Call (station start or stablish an exchange)
 Address and Identify (Address- identifications of the station being called- name and callsign, the
callsign is important when the name is difficult, it is unique)
 (Identify- there is a phrase that you use when identifying “this is” – address once and identify twice)
  State VHF channel on which the call is being made – because most of the times the vessels are
listening in more than one channel - (On VHF Channel 16)
 Over
STEP 2 Respond to Call
Address and Identify ** WHEN INDIFYING: This is (name + callsign) – you must say any other information
to identify that the vessel that made the initial call made. Obs: when you address, you say the other
vessel’s name, when you identify, you talk about yourself
Over to be used when the transmission is finished and a reply is expected.
STEP 3 Indicate working VHF channel
Address and Identify
Indicate working VHF channel*** ***Change to VHF Channel...
Over
Exercises
Listening Comprehension: ‘Handing over the watch’
2. At the beginning of a hand over
Relief OoW: I am ready to 1.relieve I am ready to take midwatch.
Response: Thank you. I am 2.ready to be relieved
3. At the end of a hand over
OoW: I stand 3. relieved 4. You have the deck.
Response: I 5. I have the deck
4. IMO regulation: The OoW must not hand over the watch to someone who is not able to carry out the
duties. Discuss when is a watch stander not able to carry out the duties.
5. Make a list of the things that a relief OoW must know before taking over control of a vessel.
PART 1 CLASS 18
VHF Conventions (VI) – Exchange Procedure (Steps 4-9)
STEP 4
Address and Identify
1. Agree to a working VHF channel or;
2. Disagree to a working VHF channel or;
3. Ask for a working VHF channel: if the controlling station neglects to nominate the working
VHF channel
Over
Agree to VHF Channel...
e.g.: Rattler ABCI / This is Rose Maru, Rose Maru PPEC / Agree to VHF Channel 20 / Over
(numbers are spoken separately)
Disagree to Channel...
e.g.: Rattler ABCI / This is Rose Maru, Rose Maru PPEC / VHF Channel 20 unable / VHF channel available
26 / Over
Ask for a VHF Channel... (Which VHF Channel?)
e.g.: Rattler ABCI / This is Rose Maru, Rose Maru PPEC / Question: Which VHF Channel? / Over
question: message marker: prepare the listener. If you say question, the other person will not expect an
information.
There are 8 message markers: question/answer; instruction/information; request; intention; advice;
warning
STEP 5 Switch-over (to working VHF channel) Rules

 ▸ Reduce the chances of confusion;

 ▸ After an ‘Agree to VHF Channel transmission’;
 ▸ Listen and check;
 ▸ Switch VHF sets;
 ▸ Listen on the working VHF Channel;
 ▸ Allow time for each other to switch their VHF sets.
Attention: Rules concerning Interruption...
When the other channel is already been used and you need to interrupt their communication.
Interruption
 Address and Identify
 (Weather forecast) – previsão do tempo
 Stop transmitting
 Over
STEP 6
 Address and Identify
 Message – you can ask a question, answer, advice, warn
 Over
STEP 7
 Address and Identify
 Respond to Message – the feedback to the message that was given in the step 7
 Over
STEP 8 End transmission
Normally made by the controlling station- a reply is not expected
 Address and Identify
 Nothing more (optional)
 Out
STEP 9 End Procedure
Applies to both participants- it avoids accidental premature termination of the exchange, both listen to be
certain that everything was said and they will switch back
***Standard Phrases

▸ ‘Nothing more’ (optional)

▸ ‘Stay on’ (the station still has information to transmit- do not change the subject or transmit a message)
Exercises
Listening Comprehension: ‘A mariner’s tale: a violent sea’
I. You are going to listen to an officer describe a rogue wave. Choose the correct definition of rogue wave
from ‘a’, ‘b’ and ‘c’.
a) A single high wave in a violent sea.
b) An unexpected wave in a calm sea.
c) Several very high, white waves.
1) What were the weather conditions?
Clear
CLASS 19

BROADCAST PROCEDURE
Broadcast = transmissão

There is only one station transmiting- a station transmits without knowing if a response will be received, if another
station responds: it becomes an exchange. The exchanges procedures rules are applied.

The typical subjects are weather forecast and navigational information

HOW TO CONDUCT A BROADCAST

STEP 1 – INITIAL CALL

 Address and Identify

a) All ships (stations);

b) All (type/ nationality / company) ships;

c) Name(s) of station(s) for which the broadcast is intended.

 Indicate content of the Broadcast

 Advise VHF Channel on which the broadcast will be made (change to VHF channel …)
 Over
 STEP 2 - SWITCH-OVER RULES

 ▸ The Controlling Station will listen on the calling VHF Channel; to allow other stations to ask for a repeat
 ▸ All stations will switch their VHF sets to the working VHF Channel;
 ▸ The Controlling Station may employ the interruption rules.

If the calling and working VHF channels are the same, the controlling station must make the initial call and wait a
moment so that the stations can be ready to receive the broadcast.

STEP 3 – BROADCAST MESSAGE

a) Address and Identify

b) Indicate content of the Broadcast (the same as the one mentioned in the initial call)
c) Transmit content of the message (navigational information or weather report)
d) Out (indicates that the broadcast transmission was made and the station that made the broadcast will
shortly be switched to the watchkeeping channel).

STEP 4- END PROCEDURE

Before saying “out”, the station will wait to see if there are any questions. The Other stations should ask for a repeat
now, if there is a question, the broadcast becomes an exchange. If there is no question, the station that made the
broadcast call will back to the appropriate VHF channel.

Exercises - Listening Comprehension : Shipping Forecast (é uma transmissão na BBC radio de boletins
meteorológicos e previsões para os mares nas costas das ilhas britânicas.)

1. Listen to the forecast for Fair Isle and South-East Iceland and complete the spaces 1-7 in the table below.

Wind direction Wind Speed Sea State Precipitation Visibility

Fair Isle NW 1. five or six 2. moderate or Showers 2. good

rough

South-East Iceland 4. 5. five ou six Rough or very rough 6. moderate 7. moderate or good

CLASS 20 PART 1

IMO-SMCP (GENERAL RULES)

Maritime Messages transmitted over VHF radio

 ▸Accurate and relevant

 ▸ Simple language
 ▸Refer to the sort of message
 ▸Intonation
 ▸Use of Message Markers
Message Markers
In shore-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication or radio communication in general, the following eight
Message Markers may be used. (IMO-SMCP page 5)
a) Instruction: influence by a regulation. Do not cross the fairway
b) Advice: influence by recommendation, advice: reduce the speed to 3 knots; stand by VHF channel
18
 c) Warning: inform another ship about a danger. obstractions on the fairway; The vessel ahead of you
is stopping
d) Information: informs the other ships about an observation. Navigational and weather information.
Ex. Buoy number 65 is unlit;
e) Question: interrogative character; what is you ETA
f) Answer: should not content a question; reply. My ETA is 1300 hours local
g) Request: used to ask the other sea to take another sea to make an action. I require to tugs; send a
doctor immediatly
h) Intention: informs the other sea about navigational actions intended to be taken. I will reduce my
speed to 6 knots.
Each marked message received must be acknowledged and a response given, if appropriate.

▸ Question ⇔ Answer

▸ Instruction / Advice / Warning / Information / Request / Intention /

received / Understood
ex. Instruction: do not use the Fairway. Instruction received, I will not use the fairway. (or: received: I will
not use the fairway.
Examples:
QUESTION: What are your intentions?
ANSWER: I intend to alter course to starboard. New course: 220º.
WARNING: Buoy number one - five unlit.
WARNING RECEIVED: Buoy number one - five unlit .
ADVICE: Anchor clear of fairway (canal navegável)
ADVICE RECEIVED: I will anchor clear of fairway.
REQUEST: Supply bunkers: quantity: 3 thousand metric tonnes.
REQUEST RECEIVED: I will supply bunkers: quantity: 3 thousand metric tonnes.
INFORMATION: The fairway entrance is: position: bearing one-three-seven degrees from North Point
Lighthouse; distance: two decimal/point three miles.
INFORMATION RECEIVED: The fairway entrance is: position: bearing one-three-seven degrees true from
North Point Lighthouse; distance: two decimal/point three miles.
INSTRUCTION: Steer course two-two-three degrees. Reason: Comply with Traffic Separation Scheme.
INSTRUCTION RECEIVED: I will steer course two-two-three degrees to comply with Traffic Separation
Scheme.
INTENTION: I intend to reduce speed. New speed: zero-eight knots.
INTENTION RECEIVED: You intend to reduce speed. New speed: zero-eight knots.
 Is common in exchanges: Where the
speaker sends a message and expect an
answer.

Exercises: Listening Comprehension – Questions and Answers

1. Answer these questions.
a) Where mustn’t the ship go?
Seasors channel
c) Why must the ship wait for high tide?
Because of the draft
d) What phrase means “can I”?
Do I have permission
e) What phrase means “you can”?
You have permission
f) What phrase means “now”?
At this time
g) What phrase means “ship is too big”?
Constrained by her draft
3. Find two places in the exchange where a speaker cannot answer a question. What phrases do the
speaker use?
Standby / no information at this time
3. Use the phrases in replies to the question below. Give two answers:
1. Say that it will take one minute to get the information; Standby for a minute
2. Say that you do not know the answer. No information at this time.
This is Traffic. “Question: What is your MMSI number?”
PART 1
 IMO-SMCP – GENERAL RULES (RADIOTELEPHONY) (UNITS 3 /4)
Ambiguous words
*The conditionals ‘may’ / ‘might’ / ‘should’ / ‘could’ – misunderstandings
May: May I enter the fairway?
Question: do I have permission to enter the fairway.
Might: you do not say: I might enter the fairway;
you say: Intention: I will enter the fairway
should: you should anchor in anchor B3
advice: anchor in anchor B3
could: you could be running into danger
warning: you are running into danger.

*The word ‘can’ → possibility - do I have permission?

→ capability - do I have permission?
Can: Can I use the shallow draft at his time?
Do I have permission to use the shallow draft channel at this time?

▸Mistakes → e.g.: “My present speed is one-four knots – Mistake Correction: my present speed is one-two
knots”.

▸Numbers → e.g.: “One-five-zero” for (150). / “Two decimal five” for (2.5).

▸Repetition → e.g.: “My draft is one-two decimal six metres. – repeat - one-two decimal six metres.” / “Do
not overtake – repeat – Do not overtake.”

▸’Stand by ’ → e.g.: “Stand by on VHF Channel...”

▸‘Say again’ → e.g.: A: “Question: What is your ETA?”

B: “Say again”
A: “Question: What is your ETA?”
Exercises:
1. Put a suitable Message Marker in the blank spaces (--------) in the messages below.
1. INSTRUCTION: Stop immediately.
2. INSTRUCTION: Steer course: one-seven-zero degrees.
3. WARNING: The ship ahead of you is not under command.
4. INFORMATION/WARNING: The leading lights are not lit.
5. ANSWER/INFORMATION: The cargo is phosphate.
 6. REQUEST: Send a doctor immediately.
7. INFROMATION/ANSWER: The wind direction is: Northeast, force: 9.
8. INFROMATION/WARNING: The visibility is very poor.
9. QUESTION: What is the depth in the outer fairway?
10. INTENTION: I intend to change course. New course: two-two-zero degrees.
11. INSTRUCTION: Do not anchor near South Point. Reason: diving operations will begin at time: one-
three-zero-zero hours local.
12. QUESTION: What time will the pilot come aboard?
2. Answer the following questions.
1. What does communication at sea involve?
THE TRANSFER OF INTELIGENCE INFORMATION BETWEEN VARIOUS POINTS OF SEA OR SHORE. SHIP TO
SHORE / SHIP TO SHIP COMMUNICATIONS
2. What are the various ways to communicate at sea?
BY SOUND, VISUAL, SIGNALLY, RADIO OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
3. What are maritime communications used for?
SAFETY NAVIGATIONAL, COMMERCIONAL OR MISCELLANEOUS PURPOSES
4. How are most communications carried out today?
RADIO TELEPHONY, GMDSS
5. What is the modern language of the sea?
IT IS A CLEAR SIMPLE LANGUAGE TO AVOID MISUNDERTANDINGS, MOST COMMUNICATIONS TODAY ARE
CARRIED OUT BY RADIO TELEPHONY
6. What is the standardized language called?
IMO-SMCP
7. What is “Seaspeak”?
THE OFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE SEAS, IT PREVENTS MISCOMMUNICATIONS, DEFINES THE RULES OF HOW
TO TALK ON A SHIP’S RADIO