Файл: smcp.pdf

NAV 46/WP.3 
ANNEX  
Page 16 

Preferably to be expressed in nautical miles or cables (tenths of a mile) otherwise in 
kilometres or metres, the unit always to be stated. 

15 

Speed

To be expressed in knots: 

15.1   

without further notation meaning speed through the water; or, 

 
15.2.1.1 

"ground speed" meaning speed over the ground. 

16 

Times 

 
Times should be expressed in the 24 hour UTC notation; if local time will be used in ports or 
harbours it should clearly be stated. 
 

17 

Geographical names

Place names used should be those on the chart or in Sailing Directions in use. 
Should these not be understood, latitude and longitude should be given. 

18 

Ambiguous words

Some words in English have meanings depending on the context in which they appear.  
Misunderstandings frequently occur, especially in VTS communications, and have 
produced accidents. Such words are: 

 
18.1  The Conditionals "May", "Might", "Should" and "Could". 
 
 

May 

Do not say:  

"May I enter the fairway?" 

Say: 

"QUESTION. Do I have permission to enter the fairway?" 

Do not say: 

"You may enter the fairway." 

Say: 

"ANSWER. You have permission to enter the fairway." 

Might 

Do not say: 

"I might enter the fairway." 

Say: 

"INTENTION. I will enter the fairway." 

Should 

Do not say: 

"You should anchor in anchorage B 3." 

Say: 

"ADVICE. Anchor in anchorage B 3." 

Could 

Do not say: 

"You could be running into danger." 

Say: 

"WARNING. You are running into danger." 

NAV 46/WP.3 

ANNEX  

Page 17 

18.2  The word "Can" 
 

The word "Can" either describes the possibility or the capability of doing something. In the 
SMCP the situations where phrases using the word "Can" appear make it clear whether a 
possibility is referred to. In an ambiguous context, however, say, for example: 
 
"QUESTION. Do I have permission to use the shallow draft fairway at this time?", 
do not say: "Can I use the shallow draft fairway at this time?", if you ask for a permission. 
 (The same applies to the word "May") 

Note:  In all cases the  radiotelephone procedures as set out in the ITU - Radio Regulations have to 

be observed

. 

NAV 46/WP.3 
ANNEX  
Page 18 

GLOSSARY

 
 
The GLOSSARY also includes a limited number of technical terms which do not appear in the text of 
the SMCP but  might be useful in case the content of a given standard Phrase requires modification. 
 

1 

General terms

 
Abandon vessel 

To evacuate crew and passengers from a vessel following a distress 

 
Accommodation ladder 

Ladder attached to platform at vessel's side with flat steps and handrails 
enabling persons to embark / disembark from water or shore 

 
Adrift   

Floating, not controlled, without a clearly determinable direction 

 
Air draft   

The height from the waterline to the highest point of the vessel 

 
Assembly station   

Place on deck, in mess rooms, etc., assigned to crew and passengers 
where they have to meet according to the muster list when the 
corresponding alarm is released or announcement made 

 
Backing (of wind)   

Shift of wind direction in an anticlockwise manner, in time (opposite of 
veering) 

 
Beach (to)   

To run a vessel up on a beach to prevent its sinking in deep water 

 
Berth   

1: A sea room to be kept for safety around a vessel, rock, platform, etc.. 

2: The place assigned to a vessel when anchored or lying alongside a pier, etc. 

 
Blast   

A sound signal made with the whistle of the vessel 

 
Blind sectors   

Areas which cannot be scanned by the radar of the vessel because they are 
shielded by parts of its superstructure, masts, etc, or shore obstructions. 

 
Boarding arrangements   All equipment, such as pilot ladder, accommodation ladder, hoist, etc., 

necessary for a safe transfer of the pilot 

 
Boarding speed  

The speed of a vessel adjusted to that of a pilot boat at which the pilot can 
safely embark / disembark 

 
Bob-cat 

A mini-caterpillar with push-blade used for the careful distribution of 
loose goods in cargo holds of bulk carriers 

 
Briefing   

      Concise explanatory information to crew and/or passengers 

 
Cable   

1: Chain, wire or rope connecting a vessel to her anchor(s) 

2: (measurement),185.2 metres, i.e. one tenth of a nautical mile 

 
Capsizing   

Turning of a vessel upside down while on water 

 
Cardinal buoy   

A seamark, i.e. a buoy, indicating the North, East, South or West, i.e. the 
cardinal points  from a fixed point. such as a wreck, shallow water, banks, 
etc. 

NAV 46/WP.3 

ANNEX  

Page 19 

 
Cardinal points  

The four main points of the compass, i.e. North, East, South and West; for 
the  purpose of the SMCP the intercardinal points, i.e. Northeast, 
Southeast, etc., are also included 

 
Casualty   

here: Case of death in an  accident or shipping disaster 

 
Check (to)   

1: To make sure that equipment etc. is in proper condition or that 
everything is correct and safe 

2: To regulate motion of a cable, rope or wire when it is running out too 

    fast 

 
Close-coupled towing   

A method of towing vessels through polar ice by means of icebreaking 
tugs with a special stern notch suited to receive and hold the bow of the 
vessel to be towed 

 
Close up (to)   

To decrease the  distance to the vessel ahead by increasing one`s own 
speed 

 
Compatibility(of goods)  states whether different goods can be stowed together in one hold 
 
 
Convoy 

A group of vessels which sail together, e.g. through a canal or ice 

 
Course  

The intended direction of movement of a vessel through the water 

 
Course made good  

That course which a vessel makes good over ground, after allowing for 

the effect of currents, tidal streams, and leeway caused by wind and sea 

 
COW   

Crude Oil Washing: A system of cleaning the cargo tanks by washing 
them with the cargo of crude oil during discharged 

 
CPA/TCPA 

Closest Point of Approach /Time to Closest Point of Approach limit as 
defined by the observer to give warning when a tracked target or targets 
will close to within these limits 

 
Crash-stop   

An emergency reversal operation of the main engine(s) to avoid a 
collision 

 
Damage control team   

A group of crew members trained for fighting flooding in the vessel 

 
Datum   

1. The most probable position of a search target at a given time 
2.  The plane of reference to which all data as to the depth on charts are 
referenced. 

Derelict 

Goods or any other commodity, specifically a vessel abandoned at sea 

 
Destination  

Port which a vessel is bound for 

 
Disabled   

A vessel damaged or impaired in such a manner as to be incapable of 
proceeding on its voyage 

 
Disembark (to)  

      To go from a vessel 

NAV 46/WP.3 
ANNEX  
Page 20 

Distress alert (GMDSS)  A radio signal from a distressed vessel automatically directed to an 

MRCC giving position, identification, course and speed of the vessel as 
well as the nature of distress 

 
Distress/   

here: The verbal exchange of information on radio from ship to shore  

Urgency traffic  

and/or ship to ship/ air craft  about a distress / urgency situation as defined 
in the relevant ITU Radio Regulations 

 
Draft   

The depth of water which a vessel draws 

 
Dragging (of anchor)   

Moving of an anchor over the sea bottom involuntarily because it is no 
longer preventing the movement of the vessel 

 
Dredging (of anchor)   

Moving of an anchor over the sea bottom to control the movement of the 
vessel 

 
Drifting 

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 

 
DSC   

Digital Selective Calling (in the GMDSS system) 

 
Embark (to) 

To go aboard a vessel 

 
EPIRB  

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon 

 
Escape route   

A clearly marked way in the vessel which has to be followed in case of an 
emergency 

Escort   

      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 

 
Fire patrol   

A crew member of the watch going around the vessel at certain intervals 
so that an outbreak of fire may be promptly detected; mandatory in 
vessels carrying more than 36 passengers 

 
Flooding   

Major flow of seawater into the vessel 

 
Fire monitor   

Fixed foam/powder/water cannon shooting fire extinguishing agents on tank 

deck, manifold etc. 

 
Foul (of anchor)   

Anchor has its own cable twisted around it or has fouled an obstruction 

 
Foul (of propeller)   

A line, wire, net, etc., is wound round the propeller 

 
Full speed   

Highest possible speed of a vessel 

 
Fume   

Often harmful gas produced by fires, chemicals, fuel, etc.