Abandon Ship
A formal command given by the Master ordering crew and passengers to evacuate the vessel immediately due to grave danger.
View termCategories
Emergency Communication
Browse Emergency Communication terms for maritime professionals.
Languages
Abandon Ship Drill
A mandatory exercise in which crew and passengers practice procedures for safely abandoning the vessel and boarding lifeboats.
View termAutomatic Release Unit
A device designed to automatically release life-saving appliances, such as liferafts, when submerged or activated by specific emergency conditions.
View termBack Up Steering
An alternative manual or powered system used to control the ship’s rudder if primary steering gear fails.
View termBridge Control Transfer
The formal procedure to transfer vessel control (steering and propulsion) between the bridge and alternative control stations.
View termBridge Emergency Locker
A secured storage location on the bridge containing emergency gear such as fire axes, breathing apparatus, and communication equipment for use during crises.
View termBridge Fire Panel
A control panel located on the bridge showing status, zones, and alarms for the ship’s fire detection and suppression systems.
View termCasualty Muster
The assembly and accounting of crew and passengers following an incident to identify and assist injured or missing persons.
View termChemical Protective Suit
A specialized suit worn by crew for personal protection against hazardous chemicals, especially during spill or leak emergencies.
View termClosed Breathing Apparatus
A self-contained device that provides breathable air in hazardous or smoke-filled environments, preventing the inhalation of toxic gases.
View termContainment Boom
A floating barrier deployed to contain and control oil or chemical spills on the surface of the water.
View termCrew Muster
The assembly of all crew at designated muster stations for roll-call, instruction, or emergency drill, as per muster list.
View termCrew Survival Craft
A life-saving craft, such as a lifeboat or liferaft, carried on board and designated for the emergency evacuation and survival of the crew.
View termDamage Assessment
A structured evaluation of damage sustained by a vessel after an incident, including extent, location, and impact on seaworthiness, conducted per SOLAS and SMCP procedures.
View termDamage Control
The procedures and measures to limit, manage, or repair damage on board, especially after collision, flooding, fire, or structural failure, as specified by SOLAS and IMO conventions.
View termDamage Control Locker
A secured storage area on board for tools, plugs, and equipment needed for rapid response to hull damage, flooding, or emergencies.
View termDamage Control Party
A designated team trained and tasked to control flooding, fire, or structural damage during emergencies on board.
View termDistress Alert
An internationally recognized signal, transmitted by GMDSS or VHF, indicating grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance.
View termDistress Communication
Transmission of information regarding a distress situation, including distress calls, messages, and subsequent coordination over designated radio channels.
View termDistress Communication
Radio transmission used to indicate that a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance.
View termDistress Frequency
A radio frequency internationally allocated for maritime distress, safety, and calling, such as VHF channel 16 (156.8 MHz) or MF 2182 kHz.
View termDistress Priority
The highest level of urgency assigned to radio or communication messages involving imminent danger and the need for immediate assistance.
View termDistress Relay
The retransmission of a received distress call or message by a station not in distress, alerting other ships or coast stations for assistance.
View termDistress Signal
A recognized sound, light, radio, or visual signal sent by a vessel or person indicating imminent danger and urgent need for assistance.
View termDistress Signal
A signal indicating a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. Includes visual, sound, and radio forms recognized by SOLAS and SMCP.
View termDrill Completion
Formal declaration that a safety or emergency drill has been carried out as scheduled and all required actions are completed.
View termDrill Completion
Confirmation that a safety, fire, or emergency response drill has been carried out and all required actions are complete, as required by SOLAS and ISM Code.
View termEmergency Alarm
The shipwide audible and visual signal indicating a serious emergency; activates muster or evacuation as per muster list.
View termEmergency Bilge Pump
A portable or dedicated pump used to remove water from the bilge in case of flooding or main pump failure.
View termEmergency Control Station
A designated area from which emergency operations such as firefighting, ventilation control, and communication are coordinated and directed.
View termEmergency Descent
A rapid controlled descent initiated due to onboard emergencies such as fire or loss of cabin pressure, as per SOLAS and shipboard emergency protocols.
View termEmergency Escape
A designated route or means for crew to safely evacuate from compartments, accommodation, or machinery spaces during emergencies, as required by SOLAS and IMO Fire Safety Codes.
View termEmergency Exit
A clearly marked route or door for rapid escape from a compartment or area during emergencies.
View termEmergency Eye Wash
A safety device providing immediate water flow for flushing eyes exposed to chemicals, smoke, or contaminants on board.
View termEmergency Generator
A dedicated generator that supplies electrical power to essential systems during main power failure, as required by SOLAS.
View termEmergency Lighting
Battery-backed or independent lighting automatically activated during main power failure for safe evacuation and emergency operations.
View termEmergency Muster
The immediate assembly of all crew and passengers at assigned muster stations in response to an alarm or emergency situation.
View termEmergency Navigation Light
A portable or fixed battery-powered navigation light used to maintain minimum required navigation signals in the event of main power failure, as per SOLAS regulations.
View termEmergency Oxygen Supply
Portable or fixed supply of medical oxygen available for emergency use by crew or passengers in case of fire, smoke or medical event.
View termEmergency Position Beacon
A radio beacon, such as an EPIRB, used to transmit the position of a vessel or survivor in distress to search and rescue authorities.
View termEmergency Power
Alternative power source such as a generator or battery supplying essential systems during main power failure.
View termEmergency Procedure
A set of predefined actions and communications for crew to follow in response to emergencies such as fire, collision, grounding, or medical incidents, per SOLAS and IMO SMCP.
View termEmergency Reporting
The formal communication and documentation of an emergency situation to the bridge, VTS, or authorities, following standard procedures.
View termEmergency Response
Immediate actions taken by trained crew to mitigate emergencies such as fire, flooding, collision, or medical incidents, following established procedures.
View termEmergency Scene
The specific onboard location where an emergency incident—such as fire, flooding, or injury—has occurred and emergency response is coordinated.
View termEmergency Shutdown
Immediate cessation of shipboard machinery, system, or cargo operation due to a critical safety or environmental risk.
View termEmergency Steering Gear
Alternate manual or powered system used to control ship's rudder if the main steering fails.
View termEmergency Steering Position
A designated location, often aft, equipped for manual control of the ship’s rudder if the main steering gear or control system fails.
View termEmergency Stop
An immediate shutdown of machinery or vessel propulsion, triggered by an emergency to prevent further damage or danger.
View termEmergency Towing
The act of towing a vessel in distress or unable to maneuver using an emergency tow line or arrangement as per SOLAS requirements.
View termEmergency Training
Structured instruction and practice provided to crew members to ensure preparedness for handling emergencies such as fire, flooding, and evacuation on board.
View termEmergency Transmitter
A dedicated radio device used to send automatic distress signals, such as EPIRBs or DSC-enabled VHF/MF/HF transmitters.
View termEmergency Water Supply
Stored or alternate source of potable water kept on board for survival use in emergencies or after system failure.
View termEscape Chute
An emergency evacuation device, usually an inflatable or fabric tube, enabling rapid escape from high decks to safe areas or liferafts.
View termEscape Hatch
A designated exit, usually watertight, providing a safe escape route from enclosed spaces in an emergency.
View termEscape Slide
An inflatable slide fitted to the ship’s side, designed for rapid evacuation of crew and passengers directly into the sea or a survival craft.
View termEvacuation Alarm
A specific alarm signal used to order immediate evacuation of the vessel or designated areas due to critical emergency.
View termEvacuation Route
A pre-designated path marked and maintained on board for safe and efficient evacuation during emergencies.
View termEvacuation Slide
An inflatable slide or chute deployed to allow rapid evacuation of personnel from ship to liferaft or pier during emergencies.
View termExplosion Risk
The probability of explosion due to flammable vapours, gases, or materials present in a compartment or operational area.
View termExplosion Risk
The immediate or potential danger of explosion caused by flammable vapours, gases, or dust in confined spaces or cargo areas, requiring hazard controls per SOLAS and ISGOTT.
View termFalling Overboard
The accidental or intentional act of a person leaving the vessel and entering the sea, triggering immediate man-overboard procedures.
View termFire Alarm
An audible and/or visual signal, automatically or manually triggered, alerting crew to the presence of fire and the need for emergency action.
View termFire Alarm
An audible and/or visual signal system activated manually or automatically to warn crew of fire and trigger the ship’s emergency response procedures.
View termFire Blanket
A sheet made of fire-resistant material used to smother small fires by cutting off the oxygen supply, often located in galleys and machinery spaces.
View termFire Blanket
A fire-resistant sheet used to smother small fires or protect personnel during escape, required in galley and accommodation spaces by SOLAS and IMO Fire Safety Codes.
View termFire Control Plan
A detailed, IMO-mandated shipboard diagram showing locations and procedures for firefighting equipment, escape routes, and alarm points.
View termFire Control Plan
A mandatory shipboard document showing fire safety systems, detection, protection, and escape routes as required by SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 15.
View termFire Control Station
A designated area on board equipped with firefighting equipment and control panels for managing emergency fire situations.
View termFire Door
A specially constructed door designed to resist fire and prevent the spread of flames and smoke between compartments or decks.
View termFire Drill
A mandatory exercise where crew practice procedures for responding to fire emergencies, including alarms, mustering, and equipment use.
View termFire Locker
A designated compartment or cabinet onboard containing firefighting equipment such as hoses, nozzles, and personal protective gear.
View termFire Main
A fixed piping system on a ship delivering water under pressure for firefighting throughout the vessel.
View termFire Main
The principal pipeline on board supplying seawater under pressure to hydrants and hoses for firefighting, as specified by SOLAS Chapter II-2.
View termFire Party
A designated team trained and assigned to respond to onboard fires and operate firefighting equipment as per muster list.
View termFire Party
A team of designated crew members trained and equipped to respond immediately to fire alarms, undertake firefighting, and perform search and rescue on board.
View termFire Party
A designated team of trained crew members equipped to respond immediately to fire alarms, conduct firefighting, and perform rescue operations on board.
View termFire Pump
A fixed or portable pump designed to supply water to firefighting systems throughout the vessel, essential for controlling and extinguishing fires.
View termFire Pump
A dedicated pump used to supply seawater to fire hydrants and hoses on board for firefighting operations.
View termFire Suit
A specialized suit, heat-resistant and insulated, worn by crew to provide protection against fire and high temperatures during firefighting operations.
View termFire Zone
A designated compartment or section of a vessel, defined by structural boundaries, to limit fire spread and facilitate firefighting operations.
View termFire Zone
A designated section of a ship separated by fire-resistant boundaries to contain and limit fire spread, as defined by SOLAS and IMO regulations.
View termFlood Control
Procedures and systems used to limit, contain, and remove water ingress after hull damage or compartment flooding.
View termFlood Control
Actions and onboard systems used to limit, isolate, or remove flooding in compartments, such as watertight doors, pumps, and valves, according to SOLAS requirements.
View termFlooded Compartment
A watertight section of a vessel that has unintentionally filled with seawater due to hull breach or system failure.
View termFlooding Alarm
An audible and/or visual alarm triggered automatically or manually when water ingress is detected in compartments below deck.
View termFlooding Drill
A mandatory exercise in which crew practice responding to flooding, including detection, boundary establishment, and use of bilge and portable pumps.
View term