Glossary

Ad Valorem – In proportion to the value

Allision – The term used when a vessel hits a fixed object, the vessel is always assumed to be at fault in this case

Bow – The front of a vessel

Capsize – The term used when a vessel is overturned or turned on it’s side

Centennial – The 100th anniversary (or the celebrating of it)

Collision – The term used when two vessels hit

General average – Declared upon vessel damage, whereupon shippers pay a certain percentage of damage incurred: carrier declares percentage of responsibility by all participants.

Gross tonnage – A vessels overall internal volume

HMS – Her Majesty’s Ship

Knot – Unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour (approx 1.151mph)

MV – Motor vessel

Nautical mile – 1852 metres / 6076 feet

Port – The left side of a ship from the perspective of an individual on board facing the bow

Righting – The term used to describe the reversing of a capsized vessel

RMS – Royal Mail ship (or steamer)

RORO – A vessel designed to carry wheeled cargo which can be driven on to the vessel eg car passenger ferry (Roll on roll off)

Salvage -

SOLAS – Safety of Life at Sea

Starboard – The right side of a ship from the perspective of an individual on board facing the bow

Tanker – A vessel which carries liquids in bulk (oil, chemicals etc)